Teatru Unplugged is back to basics

The success of Teatru Unplugged - a concoction of live music genres that bring the Manoel Theatre to life - is being reconfirmed and further consolidated by the fact that it is running into its seventh edition on December 10, 11 and 12.

This year's event marks a return to the original formula, which dates back to 1998 and which had changed with innovative additions along the years. It is characterised by an international touch, hardly any repeat performances and musicians that event founder Jonathan Shaw has been scouting for over the years.

Mr Shaw has decided to go back to basics and focus more on the "unplugged feel", which had, in recent years, given way to host a variety of numbers. Of course, the original objectives - the raison d'être of Teatru Unplugged - are still going strong: to draw people to Valletta; to attract a new audience to the Manoel Theatre; to expose audiences to different genres of music; to promote local talent and, last but not least, to "offer a truly good night out at the theatre", according to Mr Shaw.

The first part of the annual music event includes what have been described as "clean and unique" performances, which are mostly instrumental. Never before has the piano in all its purity been highlighted as much, Mr Shaw said.

The line-up includes Maltese pianist Clifford Borg, who is being imported from Brussels, where he resides, for the event. Mr Shaw wanted to use him for the last two years but had never found the right slot.

And piano performances do not stop there. New York-based Jamaican pianist Paul Shaw is flying in from the US specifically for the event, following his successful eleventh-hour appearance at Teatru Unplugged last year, which had impressed him, despite his vast experience and endless list of concerts worldwide.

The idea of offering talented musicians a platform - and a prestigious one at that - in the baroque national theatre is seen in the inclusion in the second part of Gozitan solo guitarist Keith Anthony, who Mr Shaw spotted playing outside a bar in Qala. The "easygoing" guitarist is playing soft rock and cover versions. He is being followed up by the band Rug, led by Gianni, and its acoustic swing session, including fun hits from the past.

Another number is popular Ivan Filletti and his blues band, which has changed its style and is releasing hit singles. Mr Filletti had played in Teatru Unplugged 5 and was a huge success, helping to achieve one of the event's main aims - to stimulate young and old audiences alike to jump out of their seats, clap and sing, in a rather uncommon scenario for the smart and stiff Manoel Theatre.

Teatru Unplugged 7 is also featuring flamenco dancer Francesca Grima and percussionist Andrej Vujicic from Spain, who intend to close the event with a show-stopping, high-energy music/dance performance, called Kaxxa Infernali, consisting of outbursts of fast footwork, dynamic movements and percussive breaks, as well as the magic of improvisation and intuitive communication on stage.

As always, care has been taken in choosing the compères - two young actors, Jimmy and Miriam, pioneers of local physical theatre, with their theatre company, Urbania. They are staging short sketches, even comic, between performances, with the aim of introducing an element of theatre and combining Teatru with music as the name of the event suggests.

Mr Shaw, together with his brother and event producer, Dave, pours into the mix a passion for "setting up the show and ensuring that the musicians suit the event and have everything they need to do so".

Teatru Unplugged 7, sponsored by Baileys, starts at 8 p.m. Tickets, which cost Lm3.50, Lm5.50, Lm7.50 and Lm4.50 for side boxes, are on sale from the Manoel Theatre booking office on tel. 2124 6389 or via e-mail on bookings@teatrumanoel. com.mt; they can also be bought online from www.teatrumanoel.com