Manoel launches online booking system

The Manoel Theatre has launched a state-of-the-art online booking system, which starts functioning on September 24 when tickets for the new season's programme go on sale.

Malta's first online booking system is "unique". "There is nothing like it up to now in the whole of Europe," said Samy El Saghir, managing director of S.E. Link Ltd, which developed it.

The enhanced Manoel Theatre website even allows users to see their view of the stage from their particular seats - a major feat, according to the developers.

The website allows users to go on a dynamic, 3D, audio-visual, virtual reality tour of the theatre, room by room and tier by tier, bringing the venue to life.

Customers can check seat availability, reserve particular seats and prices and pay via credit card in maximum security. They can check seat accessibility in relation to columns, exits, toilets and bars, and get information on shows and events.

Booking confirmations can be e-mailed to customers and the box office instructed to issue tickets for mailing or collection. The marketing department can be notified to send regular mailings to customers on future performances and generate reports on bookings and users statistics.

The system was launched during the presentation of the Manoel Theatre's performance diary 2003-2004, which promises high-calibre artistes and "premier" performances.

The season opens with The Drama Troupe's The Little Sweep on October 3, 4 and 5, followed by the opening concert by budding pianists Charlene Farrugia and Valerie Anne Fenech on October 7, the Manoel Theatre's artistic director, Tony Cassar Darien, said.

On the music stage is the long-awaited Maltese debut of conductor Lawrence Renes, while the National Orchestra takes pride of place under the baton of Michael Laus.

Violinist Irina Simon, soprano Miriam Gauci and pianist/conductor Maurizio Zanini are also among the top-class performers, while patrons can also enjoy some of the most exciting of a new generation of musicians, including world-famous guitarist Martin Mastik, pianists Sergei Glavatskih and Igor Gryshin, and cellist Alexander Rudin, twice Tchaikovsky winner and current president of its jury.

As regards chamber music, the programme includes the Martinu String Quartet and the Beckova Sisters, while contemporary music is seeing the 14-piece Brian Irvine Ensemble.

The BoV Opera Festival is entering its sixth successful year, while Flamencos and Argentinian Tango are also on the colourful menu.

In the sphere of drama, the much maligned kummiedja socjali has cleared the stage for musical theatre, Mr Cassar Darien said, adding that the two Maltese plays on the calendar are by Oreste Calleja and Anthony Portelli.

He described the season's theatre in English as imaginative, daring and mature, a dramatic highlight being the American Drama Group's collaboration with British TNT Theatre on Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Teatru Unplugged, PoezijaPlus and Windows on Music are among the events that make up what is known as fringe theatre, which should draw into the Manoel the younger generations.

Manoel Theatre chairman Wilfrid Kenely spoke of the need to make the national theatre more accessible to audiences from every level of society.

The theatre has commissioned a study to determine who frequents the theatre and on which to build a strategic plan to draw in the crowds, he said.

Youth and the Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett listed the capital projects under way in the theatre, including the restoration of the oil miniatures on the boxes, which are covered with layers of grime. Investment is being poured also into works on the rehearsal rooms, backstage, the lift, fire protection and climate control, which could see the national theatre opening even in summer.

The second phase of the restoration project is focusing on the ceiling, the gold paint of which has become dull, and the refurbishment of the façade.

Mr Mugliett said Maltese culture and talent could also be exported and the Maltese opera, I Martiri, composed by Carmelo Pace, will be performed at the Sydney Opera House in February.