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3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 APRIL 2026 THEATRE Amélie – The Musical is coming to Teatru Manoel this May Quirky, charming, and quintessentially French: GET ready to join a cast of dreamers this May as Amélie – The Musical makes its way to the Teatru Manoel stage from the 8 May. Presented through a collaboration between Revamp MT and Teatru Manoel, this be- loved work promises to delight musical theatre fans, old and new. Based on the cult-classic 2001 French film by Jean-Pierre Je- unet, Amélie – The Musical tells the story of Amélie Pou- lain, a shy but imaginative young woman who secretly improves the lives of those around her while grappling with her own journey toward happiness. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Paris, this musical features a heart-warming narrative, a beau- tiful soundtrack, and eye-catch- ing visuals. We caught up with Dororthy Bezzina and Matthew Cassar, the director and designer for Amélie – The Musical, to get to know more about what audienc- es might expect from this excit- ing co-production. "This is a production that is whimsical, visually imaginative, and more emotionally layered than audiences might initially assume," says director Dorothy Bezzina. "It naturally carries a sense of Parisian charm, but be- neath the humour, imagery and theatricality, there is a deeply human story about loneliness, connection, courage, and the small acts of kindness that can quietly transform lives." Amélie – The Musical is a pro- duction that is largely driven by the large ensemble who support the protagonists, Amélie (Chris- tina Despott) and Nino (Luigi Buhagiar), throughout the mu- sical; Bezzina explains that "the scale of the cast is actually one of the production's strengths," and that there is "a whole world of interconnected characters, each with their own dreams, disap- pointments and hopes," giving all the performers a chance to take centre-stage. "A particularly beautiful element of this produc- tion is that it is actor-musician based," she adds, "the musicians are part of the world of the show itself, and each instrument brings its own texture and colour." "The world of Amélie is also full of surprises: the set design, puppetry, movement, and music all help create something inti- mate as well as imaginative. It is one of those shows that delights in detail," Bezzina states. Set and costume designer Matthew Cassar explains how the Amélie team worked together to "de- velop a cohesive artistic vision, transforming initial ideas into a fully realised and immersive stage environment that supports the storytelling and enhances the audience's experience." "We want the show to feel fun, whimsical, and distinctly French" Cassar continues. "Whether through the metropolitan-in- spired set or the costumes worn by the actors, our aim is to cap- ture a quintessential French aes- thetic. This was a style I hadn't yet explored, so it was exciting to dive deeply into researching its visual language and finding ways to bring that sensibility to life on stage." Finally, on what to expect from this production, Dorothy Bez- zina says that "above all, I think audiences can expect to leave with a sense of joy and hope. At its core, Amélie celebrates kind- ness, vulnerability and the brav- ery it takes to step out of your inner world and truly connect with others." Featuring a book by Craig Lu- cas, with music and lyrics by Daniel Messé and Nathan Tysen, this musical brims with quirky characters and stunning visuals, capturing the magic of small acts of kindness and the power of hu- man connection. Amélie – The Musical runs at Teatru Manoel for two weekends, from the 8 to the 10 of May, and then again from the 15 to the 17. Performances begin at 8pm, with the exception of a 4pm matinee on Sunday 10th May and a 3pm matinee on 17 May. Recommended admission age for this performance is 6 years and up. For more information and to book your tickets, you can visit https://teatrumanoel. mt/event/amelie-the-musical/ or call the Teatru Manoel Box Office at (+356) 21246389.