The Malta Independent on Sunday
Fairies and castles and jungles…
Oh my! Family favourite films come to life on the Teatru Manoel stage with A Dream is A Wish.
The magic of witnessing your favourite songs performed live is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. This Easter weekend, TOI TOI and Teatru Manoel have the perfect opportunity for you and your family to do just that, at the annual TOI TOI Easter Concert, ‘A Dream is A Wish’. Featuring music from family favourite films, music and movie lovers of all ages are invited to Teatru Manoel for a magical night of live music.
‘A Dream is A Wish’ will take audiences on a journey through The History of Music from Family Favourite Films, beginning with a famous animated classic or two and then moving on to songs from contemporary movie musicals. Featuring music by iconic composers and lyricists such as Alan Menken,
Pasek & Paul, Phil Collins, Lin Manuel Miranda and many more, audiences from different generations will be able to enjoy this special night.
The annual TOI TOI Easter Concert first began in 2015 as a collaboration between Teatru Manoel and local legends Big Band Brothers with the aim of providing an occasion for the whole family to enjoy high-quality live music. Since 2021, there have been three Main Stage shows produced by TOI TOI, under the broad subheading of ‘The History of…’. This year, TOI TOI has added a show on Easter Saturday to accommodate the ever-growing demand for their family events on the Main Stage.
‘A Dream is A Wish’ will see The Palace String Orchestra performing at the Teatru Manoel for the first time, under the baton of sensational young conductor Ryan Paul Abela and alongside direction and vocal arrangements by Kate Fenech Field. On why families should attend the concert, Abela said “audiences will be in for a magical experience that transcends generations. From beloved classics to timeless tunes, the music appeals to all ages, offering a chance for families to bond over shared memories and create new ones together. Plus, the enchanting atmosphere of a 35piece orchestra makes it an unforgettable event for everyone to enjoy.” Audiences will be serenaded by live vocals from Tezara Saliba, Francesco Nicodeme, Michaela Agius, Clara Sciberras, Noel Zarb, Paolo Micallef, Bettina Zammit, and some special guests.
Kate Fenech Field, who runs the TOI TOI Learning and Participation Programme, explains; “The TOI TOI Annual Easter event offers a great introduction to orchestral instruments, something which we hope helps to encourage more people to take up and learn to play themselves. Our programme actively encourages our audience to participate in special moments throughout our shows and we love to see people of all ages enjoying singing along with their favourite songs. The whole programme strongly advocates singing for your mental and physical wellbeing.”
Singer Noel Zarb said “It has been yet another amazing experience working with TOI TOI, giving children their first taste of the arts at Teatru Manoel. We hope to ignite a flame, inspiring them to pursue the arts as both a hobby and a potential career path.”
The show is packed full of singalong moments for everyone in the family to enjoy. Showcasing music from family-favourite films, you’ll be whisked from castles to fjords, islands to jungles and a diversion through a chocolate factory thrown in for good measure!
‘A Dream is A Wish’ forms part of the MaltaBiennale.art 2024 programme and is in collaboration with the Valletta Cultural Agency with the support of Bank of Valletta.
Performances are happening on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March at 6pm, with tickets costing from €8 to €20. To get your tickets and for further information, visit https://teatrumanoel.mt/event /a-dream-is-a-wish/ or call (+356) 21246389