The Malta Classics Association has teamed up with Mediteatru to produce an original play for this summer’s Evenings on Campus arts festival at the University of Malta.
Ovidius in Exsilio is a play in Maltese written by Ġorġ Peresso, who combines fact with fiction in this new take at one of the most intriguing episodes from ancient history.
Ovidius was the celebrated poet who dazzled Rome with his poetry of wanton seduction and mythical metamorphoses. In 8 AD, at the height of his poetical powers, Ovidius fell into disgrace with Emperor Augustus.
The cause remains unknown but the penalty was terrible. The emperor banished him for life to the half-barbaric Tomis at the far-end of the empire, on the bleak coast of the Black Sea.
Away from the charms and comforts of civilisation, we find the ageing Ovidius dying of boredom. He desperately clings to the fading hope that an official pardon would one day bring him back to Rome.
Time is against him, his health is diminishing and he fears his muse is abandoning him. Suddenly, a new burst of creativity gives him a fresh lease of life. He is to teach the barbarians the glorious Latin language and he will make them understand the grandeur of Roman culture and literature.
Ovid tries to sow the seeds of civilisation in this land of exile but what is the real motive of this sudden surge in a moribund fire? Will Ovid ever succeed in this maddened endeavour?
Keith Borg is directing his first major work as a theatre director. A mixture of established actors and newcomers form part of the cast, including Anthony Ellul, Simone De Battista, Mark Schembri, Claudio Carta, Kurt Pawley and Chris Scicluna.
• Performances are being held at the Atriju Vassalli today and tomorrow at 9 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from Room 133, Administration Building, University of Malta or by phone on 2340 2043/ 2340 2142, SMS on 7984 3480 or e-mail: eveningsoncampus@um.edu.mt
Visual Arts
Till tomorrow
Peasant Costumes: Insights into Rural Life and Society
An exhibition of peasant costumes providing precious snippets of the ordinary, hard-working rural population whose toil and simple life made drastic inwards in literature and the arts, particularly in the 19th century. Showing at the Ministry for Gozo, St Francis Square, Victoria. Opening hours: from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Till Sunday
Metal Magic: Spanish Treasures from the Khalili Collections
A selection of works from the Khalili Collections is showing at the Grand Salon of the National Museum of Archaeology.
Till July 31
Sò come sono, e come sarò
An art exhibition by Luciano Schifano organised by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the society. At Palazzo de La Salle, 219, Republic Street, Valletta. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Entrance is free.
Till August 16
Monogramma & Monogramma, Translation of Tradition
The Italian Cultural Institute is showing a collective exhibition by Italian artists. Thanks to Galleria Monogramma, based in Via Margutta in Rome, the institute is hosting some current artistic tendencies which, though still expressed in a mainly local environment, have already acquired international appreciation and prestige. The exhibited works seem to want to lead us from the “intense hues” of the contemporary world (Ferretti De Virgilis, Frusciante, Lena) to the personal, almost intimate, fruition of the materials and matter which surround us (Donato, Baldari, Capone), to the abstraction of the subject/object represented by the concept of topos and cronos (Amorese). Works by renowned artist Angela Pellicanò are also being exhibited personally at the show.
Performing Arts
Today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday
The Winter’s Tale
MADC’s production of Shakespeare’s story of loss and redemption is being staged at San Anton Gardens. The play is famous for its two-part structure, which makes The Winter’s Tale seem like two entirely different plays that are joined together at the end. The first three acts enact a mini-tragedy and occur in wintery Sicily, while the second half of the play occurs in Bohemia during the summer months and features the kind of restorative ending typical of Shakespeare’s “comedies”. Performances begin at 8.45 p.m. Tickets may be obtained online at: www.madc.biz
Other
Today and tomorrow
Mass honouring St Ġorġ Preca
A special Mass celebrated by Mgr Lawrence Gatt is being held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the death of St Ġorġ Preca at the chapel of the MUSEUM in Blata l-Bajda at 6.30 p.m. Another Mass being said by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech is being said at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary at 6.30 p.m. tomorrow.
Tomorrow
Pottery classes for children
Space for Clay is organising pottery classes for children from 5 to 7 p.m. More details may be obtained from Rosella Schembri on 7920 6464 or e-mail: spaceforclay@gmail.com
Saturday and Sunday
Making the Invisible World Visible
An exploration into the silent world of mime and physical theatre takes the form of an energetic two-day mime workshop. Physical and corporeal mime exercises will be studied, bringing awareness and connection to our body, opening and expanding our physical expression. The workshop is being held at the Osborne Hotel, South Street, Valletta. Bookings may be made online at: www.creativeisland.com.mt.
Feasts
Sunday
St Anne, Marsascala; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Balluta; Our Lady of Sorrows, St Paul’s Bay; St Venera, Sta Venera; St Joseph, Żebbuġ; Our Lady of Pompei, Marsaxlokk; St Dominic, Valletta.
Useful contacts
St James Cavalier
Tel: 2122 3200
E-mail: info@sjcav.org
www.sjcav.org
Manoel Theatre
Tel: 2124 6389
bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt
www.manoeltheatre.com.mt
To submit a cultural event e-mail: arts@timesofmalta.com