Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/981272
| SUNDAY • 13 MAY 2018 maltatoday 5 THIS WEEK THEATRE production, with a large cast. What are some of the logisti- cal and financial challenges inherent in a project like this, and how sustainable do you think the staging of produc- tions of this scale would be on the island, taking our cultural infrastructure into account? First of all, I believe public in- stitutions such as Teatru Ma- noel have a duty to produce such works. Recently at a local TEDx talk, I argued that just as we take care of our children's education, our health system and our traditions, it is crucial to have a thriving theatre sector for society's wellbeing. There are a number of European mod- els that show us the positive ef- fects of this in society. Producing such works is a public investment if there are the audiences for it. Now if that public investment helps audi- ences increase – even slowly – I believe it can become sus- tainable. For example, if the Crucible would run for a whole month – we could have all ac- tors contracted professionally, full-time. However we need to gradually build our audience first, we can only do that by do- ing our utmost to produce great work and convince them that their time to watch is worth the while, or more worth their while than pizza, or partying (that could always come after). To me, the answer to this question lies in the audience's discussion, not the infrastructure. That will quickly follow. The Crucible will be staged at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta on May 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 at 20:00. Directed by Sean Buha- giar, with set design by Austin Camilleri and costume design by Sef Farrugia. Cast includes: Kenneth Spiteri, Nadia Vella, Simone Ellul, Stephen Oliver, Edward Caruana Galizia, Mi- chael Mangion, John Marinelli, Hannah Cramer, Marylu Cop- pini, Narcy Calamatta, Edward Thorpe, Colin Fitz, Isabel War- rington, Nanette Brimmer, Pe- ter Galea, Thomas Camilleri, Gabriela Mendez, Kyra Lautier, Roberta Cefai, Julia Camill- eri, Daniela Carabott Pawley, Rambert Attard, Annelise Ab- ela, Monique Dimech Genuis and Rakelle Portelli. Bookings: http://www.teatrumanoel.com. mt or "bookings@teatrumanoel. com.mt, 2124 6389