Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/864549
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2017 17 THIRTEEN long years after Gerard Butler and Emmy Ros- sum tore our hearts to shreds with their doomed attempt at eternal and unconditional love shrouded with passionate, ex- pressive musical ensembles, The Phantom of the Opera is returning – this time up close and personal to any Phantom fan on the Maltese islands. With the curtains going up at Ta' Qali's Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in late October, audiences will have to be patient before they can be transported to 20th century Paris and immerse themselves in a glorious tale of beauty, be- trayal and manipulation. The story centres around a disfigured musical genius, known only as 'the Phantom', who becomes enamoured with budding opera singer Chris- tine as she first sounds her voice in the opera house which the Phantom has made his home and livelihood. Having experienced nothing but abuse and marginalisation his entire life due to his dis- figurement, the Phantom's ap- proach to courting Christine – herself orphaned at a tender age – is both protective and forceful. The Phantom remains in hid- ing at first, speaking to Chris- tine from behind walls only when she finds herself alone, slowly grooming her affec- tions as he plays into the void of Christine's loving father fig- ure. The Phantom uses his tricks and power in the opera house to cunningly present Christine with the leading role. Once her performance is complete and Christine enters her dress- ing room to a loud applause, the Phantom lures her into a secret passage, down into his lair. After a brief fallout when Christine blindsides him by removing his mask, the naïve songstress appears to accepts the Phantom's affections and afflictions, seemingly recipro- cating his gentle feelings. For a moment, it seems the heartbroken Phantom's dreams have come true, but alas, his happiness cannot last. Shortly, Christine's child- hood lover, Raoul, emerges, whisking Christine away. What follows is a twisted ac- count of love, murder, con- fusion, betrayal, anger and revenge, played out to the leg- endary songs of Point of No Return, All I Ask of You and Music of the Night. The ending depends on where your sympathies lie throughout the piece. Chris- tine, but more so the Phantom, are a kaleidoscope of differ- ent facets, making them both relatable and detestable. The emotions run raw from both ends, and spectators have no choice but to take sides. But which one? You can see for yourself on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 Oc- tober at 8pm. For tickets and event updates head to The Phantom of the Opera Face- book event here. Events History's most dramatic love story hits the stage in Malta Maltese production house Grapevine Music is teaming up with the international entertainment company The Really Useful Group to showcase the all-time favourite, heart-wrenching musical dramatic masterpiece that is the Phantom of the Opera 'Everyone is a winner' campaign back at Pizza Hut PIZZA Hut are once again re- launching the campaign that en- sures that everyone in a winner! Throughout August and Septem- ber 2017 anyone dining at any Pizza Hut Malta restaurant will receive a guaranteed gift. The mechanics are easy… cus- tomers who dine at any Pizza Hut restaurant or order a take-away or delivery on w w w.pizzahut.com. mt will receive a sealed envelope. When they return to Pizza Hut in October and November the sealed envelope will be opened by the manager to reveal the prize. "This year we have partnered with Flyaway who, in collabora- tion with Emirates, are our main sponsors for the campaign. We are proud to be giving away 55 Eu- ropean holidays for 2 people for 3 nights to Cyprus, Valencia, Buda- pest, Krakow, Athens, Turin and Berlin. Other prizes include JBL Wireless Headphones, JBL Wire- less Speakers, PlayStation 4s, Piz- za Hut gifts, Cisk pints and Pepsi pitchers," said Pizza Hut Market- ing Officer, Isabelle Hyzler. Apart from the guaranteed gift, every envelope also gives the cus- tomer the chance to win a grand prize. This year the grand prize is a choice between a family trip for 4 persons to Dubai for 7 nights including f lights and taxes, trans- fers, accommodation on bed & breakfast and a one day trip to a fun park, or a trip for 2 to Bali for 7 nights including f lights and taxes, transfers, accommodation on bed & breakfast and a full day excursion. To be in the chance to win the grand prize, customers must fill in their details and answer the skill question on the inside of the envelope and place the envelope inside the box at any Pizza Hut Malta restaurants in October and November. The winner will be drawn on Thursday 7th Decem- ber. Kurt Micallef, Business Manager at Food Chain, added that "Pizza Hut find great pleasure in reward- ing their customers for their loy- alty to the brand through cam- paigns focused on giving back to the customers." Visit w w w.facebook.com/piz- zahutmalta for full details and terms and conditions. The Pizza Hut franchise is op- erated in Malta by Food Chain Limited, a member of the Farsons Group.