THEATRE
Il-Qarċilla
A bold reimagining of Il-Qarċilla, a street farce dating back to at least the 18th century, is being staged once again at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, from February 6 to 13.
The basic plot sees a man, acting as a notary, who would read out a marriage contract in verse, with satirical innuendos and humour, in the presence of two young people acting as the bride and groom-to-be.
However, what happens if the bride doesn’t show up? If the witnesses arrive empty-handed? If the notary loses his temper and decides to walk away?
The play, suitable for an audience aged 16+, is written by Michael Spagnol and directed by Joseph Galea, with Etienne Spiteri as music director.
The project is being held in partnership with Festivals Malta, Il-Karnival ta’ Malta and Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti.
Tickets from spazjukreattiv.org.
Bodyterranean
A groundbreaking ensemble of Greek and Italian artists, led by Simone Mongelli, is performing at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta, on February 7 and 8 at 7.30pm.
Bodyterranean highlights the most primal musical instrument – the human body – as it tells stories of love, exile, motherhood, diversity, joys and sorrows through music, song, dance and theatre.
The performance features two local singers, Doreen Galea and Mariele Zammit, who join the troupe in telling their stories through voice.
Tickets from teatrumanoel.mt. Read more about the show here.
A past performance of Bodyterranean.TOI TOI NEXTGen: A Valentine’s Special
In the run-up to Valentine’s Day, TOI TOI NEXTGen is hosting a hybrid stand-up comedy and dating advice show explaining how modern dating works on February 7 at 8pm.
Tim & Andrew Make Out Platonically will see Tim Borg and Andrew John Sciberras, as well as a guest, perform and answer questions about dating, relationships and love, and possibly even attempt to match some couples.
The show is suitable for an audience aged 18+. Tickets from teatrumanoel.mt.
MITI MITI
Teatru Malta’s interactive theatre experience for children and families returns to the Salesian Theatre, Sliema, from February 6 to 8 as part of the ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival.
MITI MITI features music, movement, puppetry, humour and moments of wonder, where children (aged 5 to 14) actively choose which story will be told.
Guided by the playful character of Jax, the mysterious Fates and the Oracle, audiences travel through reimagined Greek myths that explore themes every child encounters while growing up.
The show is performed by the Teatru Malta Ensemble and is in Maltese and English. Tickets from showshappening.com.
Read more about the show here.
A scene from a past edition of MITI MITI.MUSIC
DV’Classical
The inaugural De Valette Chamber Orchestra festival ‘DV’Classical’ opens at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta, on February 4 with a concert celebrating cultural dialogue between Malta and Poland through chamber music.
The opening programme features Felix Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra in D minor, Henryk Wieniawski’s Fantasia on Themes from Gounod’s Faust, Op. 20, and Mieczysław Karłowicz’s Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 2.
The concert, conducted by Austrian maestro Christoph Koncz, former principal second violin of the Vienna Philharmonic, will feature Internationally acclaimed violinist Bartłomiej Nizioł will perform as soloist.
Carmine Lauri is the concert’s music director.
The event starts at 8pm. For more information and tickets, click here or call the Manoel’s booking office on (+356) 2124 6389.
A Taste of Classics
Young soprano Cledia Micallef, together with pianist Elaine Mercieca, will perform a programme of classical works at Our Lady of Victory church, Valletta, on February 4 at 12.30pm.
Entitled A Taste of Classics, the concert offers a varied journey through song and opera, moving from the lyrical charm of Mendelssohn, Wolf, Chausson and Amy Beach to the bel canto elegance of Bellini. A highlight is Grieg’s Notturno, performed as a solo piano work by Mercieca.
The recital concludes with a lively operatic selection, including arias by Bach, Mozart and Verdi.
Entrance to the concert is at a suggested donation of €13. One can obtain the tickets prior to the concert from the venue itself or by e-mailing: baroccobookings@gmail.com/baroccomalta@gmail.com or calling on 7968 0952.
The event forms part of a series of lunchtime concerts organised by the Barocco Foundation in collaboration with Din l-Art Ħelwa.
In the Name of Love
The fifth edition of the annual concert will bring to life love songs from musical theatre at Villa Fiorita in Żebbuġ, Gozo, on February 6 at 7.30pm.
There will live singing, acting and storytelling.
For bookings, e-mail info@ewfonija.com or call on 7958 6041.
Monteverdi’s Choral Masterpieces
The KorMalta Ensemble, under the direction of Riccardo Bianchi, is bringing together some of Claudio Monteverdi’s most luminous sacred works, written at the dawn of the baroque era, to St Catherine of Italy church, Valletta, on February 7 at noon.
Performed a cappella with solo voices in each part, the programme highlights the warmth, transparency and expressive depth of Monteverdi’s writing.
Organised by the National Agency for the Performing Arts (NAPA), the concert is suitable for an audience aged over 8.
Tickets from showshappening.com.
Beethoven’s Last 3 Sonatas
Pianist Joanne Camilleri is performing Beethoven’s monumental last three piano sonatas at the Malta Society of Arts, Valletta, on February 7 at 7pm.
Tickets from showshappening.com.
An Evening with Bernice Sammut Attard, Jorge Saade and the Alikòs Quartet
Maltese concert pianist Bernice Sammut Attard, the Alikòs Quartet from Sicily and Ecuadorian concert violinist Jorge Saade will perform in a recital at the Malta Society of Arts, Valletta, on February 8 at 6.30pm.
Sammut Attard will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.23 in A major K.488 with the Alikòs Quartet, while Saade will present works by Massenet, Kreisler, Monti and Enrique Espín-Yépez.
The concert will end with all six musicians performing the second movement of Chausson’s Concerto for Piano, Violin and String Quartet in D Major, Op.21.
Entrance is free, with donations collected at the door.
The event is organised in collaboration with Arts Council Malta and is supported by Visit Malta, Malta Society of Arts, Brillanti Dance & Sunshine Sports.
MPO Chamber Concert
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra continues its concert series at Robert Samut Hall, Floriana, on February 8, with a programme where romantic depth meets jazzy brilliance.
Brahms’s Piano Trio No. 1 unfolds with warm lyricism and rich textures, uniting piano, violin and cello in a work of both tenderness and grandeur, while selections from Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio No. 2 fuse classical poise with jazz-infused swing, offering spirited, playful energy.
The recital starts at 11am. Tickets from showshappening.com.
FILM
Kont diġà
As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, Spazju Kreattiv is collaborating with local independent producers to present a special screening series showcasing a selection of indigenous Maltese films.
On February 5 at 7.30pm, the centre is screening the film Kont diġà by Max Dingli. It follows Karl, a free-spirited Gozitan artist who returns to Malta after many years abroad seeking a connection to his roots.
Tickets from spazjukreattiv.org.
A still from Kont diġà by Max Dingli.Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience
The Eden Cinemas in St Julian’s is screening a documentary about the K-pop group’s sold-out performances at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, combining concert footage from Stray Kids’ dominATE world tour with behind-the-scenes material.
The documentary will be shown from February 6 to 8. Tickets from edencinemas.com.mt.
Silents Synced: R.E.M. x Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr
Silents Synced at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, pairs classic silent movies with epic rock music to bring audiences a unique big screen experience.
At its next iteration on February 7, Buster Keaton’s 1924 comedy classic Sherlock Jr is reimagined with R.E.M.’s alt-rock masterpieces Monster (1994) and New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996). In the film, Keaton plays a film projectionist who dreams of becoming a detective. He uses his limited skills when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend’s father’s pocket watch.
The screening, which starts at 7.30pm, will be preceded by a special presentation of one of Keaton’s classic short film works, The Balloonatic (1923), soundtracked by a new composition by Brazilian electronic artist Amon Tobin.
Tickets from spazjukreattiv.org.
MISCELLANEOUS
Gozo Carnival Opening Parade
On February 7, the Gozo Carnival Opening Parade will set the Gozo carnival festivities in motion, featuring eye-catching costumes, dynamic dancers and a joyful atmosphere.
The event is taking place along Republic Street, Victoria, from 8.30pm to midnight.
Girls dressed up for Gozo’s carnival parade.Carnival by Night
Carnival celebrations in Malta will begin with Carnival by Night in Ħamrun and Santa Venera, on February 7. The family-friendly evening event will celebrate colour, creativity and the community.
The event will be held along St Joseph High Street from 7 to 11pm.
Band and Costume Parade in Ħamrun
The annual band parade returns to Ħamrun on the morning of February 8, featuring traditional Maltese bands, grotesque masks, carnival floats and merriment groups. It will be held along St Joseph High Street from 10am onwards.
whatson@timesofmalta.com