THEATRE
Ġaħan
Teatru Malta is commemorating the birth centenary of Malta’s most influential modern playwright, Francis Ebejer (1925–1993), with Ġaħan at Fort St Elmo from August 28 to 31 at 9pm.
This bold adaptation of Ebejer’s final play, Il-Ġaħan ta’ Binġemma, is set to resonate with modern-day audiences, continuing Ebejer’s mission of making theatre relevant, daring and alive.
At its core, Ġaħan is more than a fool. He is a mirror held up to Maltese society, exposing its contradictions, politics and humanity with biting wit and unflinching honesty.
The cast features Paul Portelli in the role of Ġaħan, Jacob Piccinino as Richard, and Michela Farrugia as Selima, along with Rebecca Camilleri, Philip Leone-Ganado, Sandie von Brockdorff, Christian Scicluna, Charlotte Grech, Mario Micallef, Lee-N Abela and Steve Hili.
The production is suitable for an audience over 16 years of age. Tickets from showshappening.com.
Improvizza Invites
Improvizza! festival is hosting two improvised theatre shows at Theatre Next Door in Magħtab on August 30 and 31.
Love Secrets on August 30 begins with a single secret − provided by the audience − that could change everything for the couple at the heart of the story, played by Simone Ellul (Malta) and Pierpaolo Buzza (Italy/Belgium). The story grows scene by scene, shaped by the performers’ connection and the audience’s shared curiosity about where the truth will lead.
On August 31, Otto Mondi (in Italian) will be presented with the support of the Italian Cultural Institute.
The cast – Buzza, Federica Forb, Deborah Fedrigucci and Ellul – will create improvised stories inspired by personal memories, their own or optionally those of the audience.
Tickets from www.fmt.com.mt/tnd.
Simone Ellul in last year’s Improvizza! festival.Keep It Gay
The Malta Society of Arts is presenting a sneak peek of the upcoming adaptation of Mel Brooks’s The Producers, on August 30.
The show will be performed by the stars of the November production, including Robert Woehrle, Nikolas Camilleri, Maya Micallef Engerer, Karl Bartolo and Kyra Lautier.
They will perform some of the iconic numbers from The Producers such as Springtime for Hitler and I Wanna Be a Producer.
Keep It Gay, directed by James Mikkelsen and produced by Niti Dhingra from Two Black Cats Comedy, is being held at Palazzo de la Salle, Valletta, with doors open at 7.30pm. It is certified 12+. Tickets from showshappening.com.
ARTS
Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival
The Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival continues with An Archaeology of Words: Literary Genres as Sites of Excavation, a panel discussion taking place on August 25 at 8pm at Vincent’s Eco Estate, Mġarr. Glen Calleja, a writer, book artist and interdisciplinary practitioner, will moderate the discussion between Spanish poet Carmen Camacho and two Maltese authors: Omar N’Shea, an essayist, and Michael Zammit, a poet. The evening will also include a musical interlude by Kym Pepe and Jimmy Bartolo.
All the Wor(l)d’s a Stage on August 26 will celebrates performance, poetry and playwriting, featuring playwright Simone Spiteri and poet Maud Vanhauwaert. Led by Keith Borg, it will explore links between literature, theatre and live performance, with readings by Vanhauwaert and actors Kristjana Casha and Toni Attard.
In My Dream: An Encounter with Ubah Ali Farah and Franco Tartaglia will follow on August 29 at 8pm at the Malta Society of Arts. Ali Farah will talk about her fiction and poetry about the Somali history and diaspora with Virginia Monteforte. She will perform her poetry in Italian, joined by Leanne Ellul with Maltese translations. There will also be musical interludes by Franco Tartaglia.
The festival comes to an end on August 30 with Colourful Threads: A Night with Kassia St Clair at the Salesian Theatre, Sliema, at 8pm. Bestselling author and cultural historian Kassia St Clair will be interviewed by Joseph Caruana, and read excerpts from her work. The conversation will be accompanied by live drawings by local artist Darren Tanti.
For more information, visit Inizjamed’s Instagram and Facebook pages or the official website, inizjamed.org. Tickets for all events are available from showshappening.com.
Artwork for the 20th edition of the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival by Naomi Gatt.MUSIC
Joe Cocker Tribute Concert
William Mangion. Photo: FacebookFormer Malta Eurovision representative William Mangion is paying homage to the legendary British singer Joe Cocker at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Valletta, on August 27 at 8pm.
He will be accompanied by a band of musicians from Malta, Italy and Spain, where Mangion is forging his international career.
The concert opens with the local band Blacktones.
Tickets from ticketline.com.mt.
Chasing Pandora: Life Imitates Art
Chasing Pandora’s music will blend with visual art and dance in an event titled Life Imitates Art, being held on August 28 at 8.30pm at Villa Rundle, Victoria.
Throughout the performance, local painters Christopher Saliba, Victor Agius, David Debono and Vince Caruana will showcase original artwork inspired by the band’s music. These exclusive pieces will be available for viewing and purchase on the night.
The show also features choreographed dance segments by The Turning Pointe Studio and performances by the children’s choir Angel Voices.
The event is free of charge.
Chasing Pandora. Photo: FacebookGuitar recital by Agatino Scuderi
The Gaulitanus Choir is presenting a solo guitar recital by internationally acclaimed Agatino Scuderi at Savina church, Victoria, on August 28 at 8pm.
The Italian artist has graced concert stages worldwide including New York’s Carnegie Hall and has received several awards and recognitions, the latest being the Grand Prix d’Excellence from the Sorbonne University in Paris.
Entrance is free, with no reservations required.
André Rieu: Live in Concert
The world-renowned violinist and conductor, André Rieu, is returning to the Granaries in Floriana on August 29 and 30.
He will be accompanied by his Johann Strauss Orchestra and many international soloists.
Tickets from showshappening.com.
André Rieu performing in Malta last year.Clara Calleja and Band
Clara Calleja. Photo: FacebookEmerging artist Clara Calleja will be joined by a group of talented Maltese musicians for an intimate concert at Vincent Eco Estate, in Żebbiegħ, on August 31 at 8pm.
Calleja is known for her ethereal, piano-driven sound and atmospheric instrumentation as she explores personal and relational themes.
In this project, she is joined by musicians Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur, Louie Farrugia, Daniel Micallef, Katrina Demarco and Mikhail Farrugia, who will blend Calleja’s original compositions with jazz-influenced arrangements.
The performance also includes select covers by artists such as Olivia Dean and the Ezra Collective, blending elements of soul, dream pop, and jazz.
Tickets from showshappening.com.
MISCELLANEOUS
Eco Festival – Part 3
The third part of the festival is being held at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta, from August 28 to 31.
This year, Eco Market Malta has partnered with Project Green, who will be hosting a variety of eco-friendly, free activities on August 30 and 31, including a plant-potting station and fun games for children such as Jenga, word search, sensory boxes, and VR experiences.
Entrance is free.
Visit Eco Market Malta’s Facebook page for more information.
A view of a previous edition of the Eco Festival. Photo: FacebookPinta Beer Festival
Over 300 beers and craft beers from both local producers and international importers will be available at this year’s edition of Pinta Beer Festival, taking place at Ġnien Laparelli, Valletta, from August 28 to 31.
There will also be food stalls and live entertainment on two stages, featuring, among others, Blacktones, Ozzy Lino, Vinyl Paradise, DJ Ruby and Steve Caesar.
For all the details, visit the event’s Facebook page or www.pintabeerfestival.com.
Xlendi Shipwreck Festival
Heritage Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit, with the support of the Munxar local council and the Malta Airport Foundation, is celebrating Xlendi’s maritime past on August 29 and 30.
The event will feature an immersive virtual reality dive showcasing the Xlendi Underwater Archaeological Park and the Phoenician Shipwreck, a display of artefacts recovered from the seabed off Xlendi, a 3D print model of the Phoenician shipwreck, and live demonstrations of advanced 3D scanning techniques that reveal the hidden details of Malta’s submerged history.
The festival will be held between 6 and 10pm each evening along the Xlendi waterfront. Entrance is free and no pre-booking is required.
The Xlendi tower and town in the background. Photo: Shutterstock.comwhatson@timesofmalta.com