Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547002
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 OCTOBER 2026 THEATRE PWF Theatre Company presents Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter FRIENDS – will make its debut with Harold Pinter's celebrated dark comedy The Dumb Waiter, running on 17 and 18 October 2026 at the Black Studio, Drama Centre, Blata l-Bajda. Directed by Sean Briffa and starring Alan Fenech and Andy Catania, The Dumb Waiter is a gripping, mysterious and darkly comic two-hander that places two professional killers, Ben and Gus, in a basement room as they wait for their next assignment. What begins as an apparently routine wait gradually becomes an unset- tling exploration of power, obe- dience, communication and the absurdity of their situation. Pinter's distinctive writing cre- ates an atmosphere in which the smallest detail can become signif- icant and an ordinary conversa- tion can suddenly take an unex- pected turn. As messages begin arriving through the mysterious dumb waiter, the relationship be- tween the two men becomes in- creasingly strained, leaving both characters, and the audience, questioning exactly who is in con- trol. For actor Alan Fenech, the pro- duction also marks a return to the stage in a role that offers a very different experience from his work behind the scenes as a direc- tor, educator, writer and theatre practitioner. He shares the stage with Andy Catania, whose por- trayal brings a distinctive energy, vulnerability and comic timing to the character of Gus, creating the complex chemistry and ten- sion at the heart of the produc- tion. Together, the two actors must navigate Pinter's precise rhythms, pauses and seemingly ordinary conversations, where every word, and every silence, can carry a deeper meaning. The production marks the first theatrical venture of PWF Theatre Company (Plays with Friends), a new initiative bring- ing together theatre practitioners and friends with a shared passion for creating intimate, actor-driv- en theatre. With only two actors carrying the entire production, the success of The Dumb Waiter rests heavily on the relationship between Fenech and Catania, their timing, chemistry and abil- ity to keep audiences guessing until the very end. With its claustrophobic setting, razor-sharp humour and un- mistakable Pinteresque tension, The Dumb Waiter promises audiences an evening of thea- tre that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Tickets are limited, so audi- ences are encouraged to book early and experience Pinter's strange, funny and increas- ingly unsettling world live on stage. Booking details on the official facebook page of Plays with Friends or by calling on 99790224 PWF Theatre Company – Plays with Friends – will make its debut with Harold Pinter's celebrated dark comedy The Dumb Waiter, running on 17 and 18 October 2026 at the Black Studio, Drama Centre, Blata l-Bajda Company of Dance Arts brings Romeo and Juliet to Teatru Manoel this October COMPANY of Dance Arts will present its dance produc- tion of Romeo and Juliet at Teatru Manoel on 10 Octo- ber 2026 at 7.30pm, bringing Shakespeare's timeless story of love, passion and conf lict to the stage through dance. The production reimagines one of the world's most cel- ebrated love stories through expressive choreography, striking visuals and power- ful performances. Drawing on classical inspiration while embracing contemporary cre- ativity, Romeo and Juliet us- es movement and music to explore the passion, rivalry, tenderness and tragedy at the heart of Shakespeare's story. Under the artistic direction of Sara Bianchi, the produc- tion brings together a talented cast of local artists, with An- drew Camenzuli performing the role of Romeo and Mattea Bianchi as Juliet. Speaking about the produc- tion, Artistic Director and Choreographer Sara Bianchi said: "Romeo and Juliet is a sto- ry filled with incredibly pow- erful emotions – love, hope, conflict, passion and ultimate- ly tragedy. My aim through the choreography has been to allow these emotions to speak through movement and to create a production where the audience can truly feel the relationship between the characters. We have brought together classical influences and contemporary movement to give this timeless story our own artistic identity, while re- maining faithful to the emo- tion at its heart." The production is choreo- graphed by Sara Bianchi and Nicoletta Pizzicotti, with guest artists Luke Bugeja Gauci, An- drew Spiteri and Ben Spiteri joining the cast. Company Director Rowena Grech said the production re- flects Company of Dance Arts' commitment to creating am- bitious theatrical dance pro- ductions that are accessible to both established dance audi- ences and those experiencing a full-length dance production for the first time. "Romeo and Juliet is a story that audiences immediately connect with. Through dance, we are able to communicate its emotion, passion and con- flict in a very direct and pow- erful way. Performing this production at Teatru Manoel makes the occasion particular- ly special, and we are looking forward to sharing it with our audience." The production combines captivating choreography, dramatic storytelling, evoc- ative music and theatrical imagery to create an immer- sive interpretation of Shake- speare's tragedy. Romeo and Juliet will be performed for one night at Teatru Manoel on Saturday, 10 October at 7.30pm. Tick- ets are available from tea- trumanoel.mt