Teatru Malta programme ‘aimed at everyone’

“Teatru Malta’s programme is helping to achieve this government’s goal when it comes to its cultural strategy. With its programme aimed for everyone, culture and the arts are more accessible to the community. Teatru Malta was a necessary step for our cultural sphere and we believe that this programme is proof that we, as Maltese, take our theatre very seriously. We are working with professionals; the communities, in the periphery and spaces and are making sure our theatre is relevant and excellent. It is my pleasure to support this programme,” said Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici.

“Eighteen projects for 2018: Teatru Malta is definitely starting on a high. The National Theatre also joins the long list of initiatives that are indebted to the European Capital of Culture for their willingness to collaborate with entities such as Teatru Malta. We worked hand in hand in producing projects with band clubs, schools, and a large-scale project in Gozo. We are looking forward to Teatru Malta’s first programme,” added Chairman of the Valletta 2018 Foundation Jason Micallef.

“The Arts Council is proud of Teatru Malta’s first programme. We believe that this programme is challenging the boundaries of theatre in Malta. This was the reason we wanted Teatru Malta this was the reason we wanted a national theatre with no walls, no doors but with lots and lots of energy,” acting Chair of Arts Council Malta Annabelle Stivala Attard said.

“Teatru Malta was once just an initiative on paper - now this programme brings the whole idea to life,” said Sean Buhagiar, the artistic director of Teatru Malta.

Teatru Malta was launched at Teatru Pandora amongst enthusiastic artists and theatre-makers.

“This is our first programme, a programme in which we hope everyone will find something for them, whether it be entertaining, disturbing, enthralling, or amazing. Here, we believe that theatre can make us all better human beings. Let’s hope we play our part,” concluded Sean Buhagiar.

Launched in 2017, Teatru Malta organised activities throughout the year aimed at listening to the community, creating work, and above all, to learn. The programme boasts 18 projects, including twelve theatrical productions, an opera for children (‘Il-Qtates ta’ max-Xatt’), and an operetta (‘Il-Madonna tiegħi aħjar minn tiegħek’) on the subject of local feasts. The productions vary, with themes ranging from boxing to the exploration of the bird song.

Several collaborations have been set up by Teatru Malta for this programme, including collaborations with the British Council, the Malta Football Association, Spazju Kreattiv, Teatru Manoel, MADC, the CRPD, Valletta 2018, and others. Moreover, Teatru Malta is collaborating with more than twenty international artists during the programme.

Teatru Malta is also visiting locations not usually associated with theatrical productions, namely the five regions of Malta in spaces such as the National Stadium, Mount Carmel Community Theatre, każini, band clubs, schools, and a large-scale summer production in Gozo.

The website was also launched to promote the programme and act as Teatru Malta’s main online platform. For more information visit www.teatrumalta.org.mt or call 21220255.