Shakespeare performances in Malta

This year the MADC is taking Shakespeare back to the Opera House in Valletta for the first time since World War II. "A Midsummer Nights' Dream", which is part of the Malta Arts Festival organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, will take place on July 25, 27, 28 and 29, 2007. This production, which has an ecological twist, with support by Wasteserv, is being directed by Chris Gatt and co-directed by Denise Mulholland.

The set is being designed by installation artist Pierre Portelli and the costumes are being constructed by Lilliana Portelli and Pierre Stafrace. The production also boasts original music by Alexander Vella Gregory. The choreography is by Emma Loftus.

The cast of "A Midsummer Nights' Dream" includes Edward Mercieca as Bottom, Pia Zammit as Titania, Manuel Cauchi as Theseus/Oberon, Isabella Attard as Puck, Jean Marc Agius Cafa as Lysander, Faye Paris as Hermia, Matthew Gatt as Demetrius, Nerissa Pace as Helena and Coryse Borg as Hippolyta, as well as Alan Montanaro, Paula Fleri-Soler, Wesley Ellul, David Ellul Mercer, Lino Mallia and Martin Azzopardi.

The show is being made accessible to those young people and students who may not be in a position to shell out too much money for a theatrical production. Apart from the usual seats, there will also be a 'standing up' section, with tickets at only Lm2 / €4.66, which will allow people to actually be in the thick of the action. Tickets for "A Midsummer Nights' Dream" at Lm5 / €11.65 and Lm2 / €4.66 (groundlings) may be purchased from http://www.maltaticket.com/, Agenda, Exotique, Newskiosk and Bookends.