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2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JUNE 2026 CULTURE The bard moves to Floriana – MADC to stage Hamlet at Msida bastion historic garden MADC continues its annual tradition of staging an outdoor Shakespeare play this summer with Hamlet – but at a new venue. As ongoing renovation works have ruled out the company's tra- ditional setting of San Anton Gar- dens in Attard, the 2026 produc- tion will perform instead among the fortified walls and greenery of Msida Bastion Historic Garden in Floriana. The setting's history and atmos- phere suit the tale of grief, suspi- cion and revenge at the heart of one of theatre's most enduring works. William Shakespeare's Ham- let follows the story of the titular Prince of Denmark, who discovers that his uncle has murdered his fa- ther to seize the throne. Plunged into a world of madness and be- trayal, Hamlet grapples with his own sanity and the moral impli- cations of revenge, with tragic consequences. Alex Weenink stars as Ham- let alongside Stephen Oliver as Claudius, while veteran actor Manuel Cauchi lends his voice to the Ghost – the figure whose ap- pearance sets the whole tragedy in motion. The superb cast also includes Larissa Bonaci, Bernard Zammit, Jeremy Paul Grech, Eo- in Kennedy, Maya Micallef En- gerer, James Sultana, Jonathan Scicluna and Sarah Farrugia, with sequences choreographed by the renowned Moveo Dance Com- pany and featuring Moveo danc- ers Anna Friedrich, Edmilson Zammit and Pablo Daniel Silva Gonçalves. This production is di- rected and designed by Michael Mangion. Booking is now open at www. madc.com.mt. For a limited time only, early bird tickets start at just €25 – so Shakespeare-lov- ers eager to experience one of the Bard's best-known plays at a different space in Malta are en- couraged to book early. Plus, with opening night set for the day af- ter the World Cup final, MADC's Hamlet is the ideal addition to the summer calendar. "Moving Hamlet to Msida Bas- tion has opened up the staging of the play in exciting ways we didn't expect," says Michael Mangion. "Audiences are in for an electrify- ing evening of Shakespeare they won't soon forget." MADC's production of Hamlet by William Shakespeare per- forms at the Msida Bastion His- toric Garden, Vincenzo Dimech Street, Floriana, at 8.30pm on 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 July (no performance on 22 July). This production is suitable for audi- ences aged 12 and over. Early bird tickets start from €25 for a limited time only, available now at www.madc.com.mt. Photo: Justin Mamo Photo: Justin Mamo