Theatre sees musical revival

If there were any doubt there was a musical revival in the theatre locally, then look closely at the Manoel Theatre's best-selling productions last season.

Kander and Ebb's hit Cabaret and Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate might have been written decades ago but they drew crowds to the theatre.

Still, it was MADC's annual pantomime - Ali Baba and Babes in the Wood - which once again topped the theatre attendance rates, an increase of 13 per cent over last year's production.

During the 2002/2003 season, a total of 67 per cent of the national theatre's capacity was sold, a "satisfactory" figure considering the increasing number of competing theatres.

Masquerade's production of the classic Cabaret was the second best-seller of the year, occupying nearly 87 per cent, no mean feat considering it played for seven nights at the 550-seat theatre.

With 67 per cent of the theatre seats sold, Kiss Me Kate, staged by MADC, drew a fairly good crowd, considering it was playing in the run-up to the general election.

Masquerade's other play, Dinner with Friends, winner of the Pulitzer for drama, was the third best-selling production of the year.

Rather surprising is the low turnout for the comedy Revueing the Situation, which placed a notch higher than Knight of Malta.

Manoel Theatre artistic director Tony Cassar Darien is satisfied with the range on offer, though he always contends that there is room for further improvement. It would be good to see less mimicking and more creativity, he said.

Mr Cassar Darien said the theatre's policy of allotting a maximum of three dates to each drama company has created a feeling of competition among companies in terms of preparation and standards.

He said he was content that the theatre had retained its audiences, especially considering the ever growing popularity of St James Cavalier as a drama venue.

"This means our audiences are getting a thrill. But these audiences are not guaranteed for ever more," he noted.

Mr Cassar Darien said he wished to see young actors and actresses join forces to stage a play - and the Manoel Theatre was prepared to take the risk and host them. But often it was the producing company itself which preferred to opt for a smaller venue.

The programme for the coming season, which is to be announced today, has a number of surprises in store.

Manoel Theatre chairman Wilfred Kenely admitted that the Manoel was sometimes acting as an imported showroom and new material was somewhat lacking.

But Mr Kenely said the theatre was doing its utmost to entice original productions.

The theatre management policy was not intended solely at attracting big crowds but would rather host quality material.

"We will choose productions which give our theatre the best name," he said.

Mr Kenely said the biggest problem with the dearth of Maltese productions was not the productions but the language.

The new committee is trying to draw up an action plan to encourage new authors to write in Maltese.

Just three productions in Maltese were staged last season, one of which was a translation of Shakespeare's Othello.