Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/580873
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2015 40 This Week My First Time returns to the stage FEATURING one of the most fa- mous operatic arias 'When I am laid in earth' (popularly known as 'Dido's Lament') along with the rest of the beautiful melodic score, Henry Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas is being staged in a new production at the Manoel Theatre on 9 and 11 October. The opera is being presented as a joint collaboration with Valletta 2018 Foundation, organisers of the year when Valletta will be desig- nated as capital of culture and will be performed by Teatru Manoel Youth Opera with mezzo soprano Marvic Monreal in the title role accompanied by the Valletta Inter- national Baroque Ensemble con- ducted by Alice Farnham. The director is Jonathan Cocker who has directed numerous opera productions for companies such as New Zealand Opera to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Opera North. This opera is Purcell's only all- sung dramatic work, which tells the story of the love of Dido, Queen of Carthage, for the Trojan hero Aeneas, and her despair when he abandons her. Although first pro- duced in 1688 and contains fantas- tical elements such as sorceresses, spells and mythological gods the story is surprisingly still relevant and relatable. The ease of the nar- rative belies the complexity of the story and whirlwind of emotions experienced by the protagonists in this hour-long opera. These elements, combined with the timeless and striking costume designs by Sofia Lasserot and the arresting set design by Romualdo Moretti, augur for a truly exciting theatrical experience. Dido and Aeneas will be held at the Manoel Theatre on October 9 and 11 at 20:00. Tickets are €18 and €15 including discounts for senior citizens and students. Full- time students (with valid student cards) are eligible for €10 tickets from one hour before the perform- ance subject to availability THOUSANDS of stories combine for one raucous night out as My First Time returns to share awk- ward, hilarious, sweet and silly stories of the day people from all over the world lost their virginity. It is a show that has been called 'hilarious' by the New York Times and 'provocative, amusing and moving' by the New York Post – and it now promises to be one of the highlights of Malta's new theatre season. Following on from a celebrated off-Broadway run, My First Time wowed audiences locally at the MITP theatre in 2009, and sold out every single show. Now it re- turns to thrill once again, featur- ing four actors in hysterical and heartbreaking stories about first sexual experiences written by real people… just like you! It features tales from a 1998 website where individuals could anonymously tell their own true stories about their first times. Over 40,000 people contributed, and the results will be showcased in My First Time – including some local stories that have never been shared before. This 90-minute play opens on 23 October starring Jo Caruana (Comedy Knights, Noises Off), Thomas Camilleri (Legally Blonde – West End, Comedy Knights), Joe Azzopardi (Allo, Allo, My First Time) and Naomi Said (Jack and His Beanstalk). It is being directed by Marc Cabourdin and Wesley Ellul, directors of many hit shows, including The Accidental Pervert, The Comedy Knights and Spring Awakening. Performances will he held at The City Theatre on October 23, 24, 30, 31, and November 1. Ticket prices for the opening weekend are €10 while all others start at €15. Shows begin at 20:00. For more information about TAC Theatre Company's upcom- ing production of My First Time, please visit www.tactheatre.com After its sell-out 2009 run, this popular play returns for a long-awaited encore. It will open at City Theatre on 23 October, with first-weekend tickets from just €10 New production of Dido and Aeneas at the Manoel Althea Troisi de Menville and Marvic Monreal in 'Dido & Aeneas' • Photo by Luiz Rodriguez This opera is Purcell's only all-sung dramatic work, which tells the story of the love of Dido, Queen of Carthage, for the Trojan hero Aeneas, and her despair when he abandons her From left: Naomi Said, Thomas Camilleri and Jo Caruana