Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/963162
maltatoday SUNDAY 8 APRIL 2018 43 This Week National Museum of Archaeology open for free today HERITAGE Malta is opening the National Museum of Archaeology free of charge today. Housed in the Auberge de Provence, the National Museum of Archaeology exhibits a spec- tacular range of artefacts from Malta's Neolithic period up to the Phoenician Period. Apart from the earliest tools used by the pre- historic inhabitants and other artefacts which give us an insight of their daily lives, highlights in the museum include the Sleeping Lady from the Ħal Saflieni Hypo- geum, the Venus of Malta from Ħaġar Qim, bronze daggers from Tarxien Temples, the Horus & Anubis pendant and anthropo- morphic sarcophagus from the Phoenician Period. Visitors will also have the op- portunity to view the recently in- augurated display of the national coins and medals collection, and the temporary exhibition which explains the exciting new infor- mation on Malta's prehistory of the FRAGSUS project. One can also appreciate ongoing conserva- tion work at the impressive Gran Salon, with its richly painted walls and wooden beamed ceiling. During the open day two guid- ed tours will be held at 11.00hrs and 14.00hrs, each limited to 50 persons. The National Museum of Archaeology opens between 09.00hrs till 18.00hrs, last admis- sion at 17.30hrs. For more information visit Her- itage Malta website, www.herita- gemalta.org or follow the agency's official facebook page. TEATRU Manoel presents a unique piano recital by the renowned Michael Laus on April 11 at 20:00 at Teatru Manoel. Michael Laus is one of Mal- ta's foremost and celebrated musicians both as a pianist and conductor. He gradu- ated in piano, harpsichord and composition at the Con- servatorio Giuseppe Verdi of Milan in 1982 and has since had a remarkable career as the Principal Conductor of Malta's national orchestra for twenty-five years and now its Resident Conductor. He has conducted the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in symphonic concerts in Malta, Belgium and Italy as well as other orchestras including the Bournemouth Symphony, the Slovak Philharmonic, the New Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Asturias. He was the founder and first music director of the Malta Youth Orchestra and of the Goldberg Ensemble, a group specialising in baroque mu- sic. In 2016, he conducted the first European perfor- mance of Arvo Pärt's Greater Antiphons. He opened the first edition of the Valletta International Baroque Fes- tival with Vivaldi's Quattro stagioni. Michael Laus has conducted the Bournemouth Symphony, the Slovak Phil- harmonic, the New Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Asturias. Michael has also directed operatic productions at the Berne State Theatre and in Oviedo and regularly appears in the double role of pianist/ harpsichordist and conductor in a concerto repertoire rang- ing from baroque to twen- tieth-century works. In this double role, he has won inter- national critical acclaim for his recording of Cyril Scott's Harpsichord Concerto. He has recorded for Discover In- ternational, Unicorn-Khan- chana and Cameo Classics. He is Associate Professor in Music Studies at the Univer- sity of Malta. The full programme of his recital includes Haydn's An- dante with Variations in F minor, Hob. 17/6, Schubert's Four Impromptus, D.899 and Beethoven's Sonata in A flat major, Op.110and Sonata in F minor, Op.57 'Appassionata'. Tickets can be purchased online from www.teatru- manoel.com.mt, by email at bookings@teatrumanoel. com.mt or tel 2124 6389. ISSERRA, Teatru Malta's produc- tion set to premiere in April 26, 27, 28 and 29 will focus on one of Mal- ta's most heated current debates: mental health. Written in 1958, and produced in 1980 – Harold Pinter's black, menacing comedy The Hot- house, dealing with abuse in a men- tal health institution remains very relevant and relatable. Is-Serra sheds an uncomfortable light on the casual inhumanity and corruption that festers deep within the bureaucratic foundations of institutional authority; a curious piece that reminds of recent stories emerging from some local hospi- tal's cracks. "In the last year, there have been a number of testimonies of stories that are taking place in the corridors of local hospitals. We chose this controversial work by Pinter because we believe it's great theatre, but also to instigate a dis- cussion about the subject," Sean Buhagiar, Teatru Malta's artistic director, said. The Hothouse, is in fact penned by world renowned contemporary play- wright Harold Pinter. This project is also part of The Classics Project, Teatru Mal- ta's long term initiative towards translat- ing, producing and publishing a modern classic a year. This year they've chosen to focus on Harold Pinter in commemora- tion of his 10th year anniversary of death. With a superb translation by established playwright Simone Spiteri, the story is set in a state-run sanatorium where the so-called "patients" are actual social dis- sidents receiving various excruciating corrective treatments. Teatru Malta have chosen to combine the Young Director's programme with this classic piece. In fact, Is-Serra will be directed by Teatru Malta's young direc- tor for 2018, Andre' Agius through the mentorship of renowned German professional theatre director Irene Christ; and staged at Mount Car- mel's very own community theatre. The cast includes local stalwarts like Victor Debono, who will take on the lead role of Roote, the mental institu- tions undermined and disrespected di- rector who has lost control of himself and the very institute he represents. In the other lead roles, Gibbs, the ambi- tious and overachieving mental institu- tion employee, will be played by Mark Mifsud while Maria Buckle will take on the role of the very shrewd Miss Cutts. The cast features a number of theatre favourites like Joe Depasquale, Anthony Ellul, Benjamin Abela and Kurt Castillo. 25% of all ticket sales of Is-Serra will also be donated to the Richmond Foun- dation. Michael Laus performs Haydn, Schubert and Beethoven Is-Serra launches Teatru Malta's Classics Project V I C T O R D E B O N O Teatru, Mount Carmel | 8PM 25% mill-bejgħ tal-biljetti se jmorru b'risq il-Fondazzjoni Richmond. Din il-produzzjoni hija parti mill-programm għad-diretturi żgħażagħ; id-direttur qed jiġi mħarreġ minn Irene Christ. Is-Serra qed tiġi wkoll ippubblikata flimkien ma' xogħlijiet oħra ta' Harold Pinter bil-Malti, bħala parti mill-Proġett Klassiċi ta' Teatru Malta. V I C T O R D E B O N O 2 6 , 2 7 2 8 , 2 9 A P R I L 2 0 1 8 Teatru, Mount Carmel | 8PM T A' H A R O L D P I N T E R Teatru, Mount Carmel | 8PM biljetti minn teatrumalta.org.mt jew 2122 0255 Michael Laus Teatru Malta presents a Maltese-language adaptation of Harold Pinter's The Hothouse at the Mount Carmel Theatre