Revamp MT and the Manoel Theatre are bringing the Maltese premiere of Amélie −The Musical to Malta’s national theatre in May.
Inspired by the much-loved 2001 film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the stage adaptation has captivated audiences internationally with its distinctive blend of humour and theatrical imagination. The musical features a book by Craig Lucas, with music by Daniel Messé and lyrics by Nathan Tysen and Messé.
The story, set in the colourful streets of Montmartre, Paris, follows a young waitress caught in her imaginative world, who decides to help people find happiness.
Directed by Dorothy Bezzina, with musical direction by Edward Mifsud, the local production brings together a strong Maltese creative team including Matthew Cassar as set and costume designer, Raphael Pace as choreographer, Mohamad Ali ‘Dali’ Aguerbi and Sergio Costa responsible for lighting and sound, and Teatru Anon for puppet fabrication.
Leading the cast as Amélie is Christina Despott, alongside Luigi Buhagiar, Paul Portelli, Stephen Oliver, Natassja Chapman, Gianluca Cilia and Lawrence Gray.
A distinctive feature of the production is the presence of actor-musicians. Music is woven directly into the action, with different characters associated with their own sounds, all within a visual world inspired by the flowing Art Nouveau aesthetic of the Paris Métro.
During the press conference, Adrian Mamo, artistic director of the Manoel, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Amélie to our stage, a story that reminds us of the power of small acts of kindness to transform the lives of those around us. We warmly invite audiences to join us for what promises to be an enchanting and uplifting theatrical experience.”
Revamp MT has built a strong reputation for ambitious musical theatre productions in Malta, including the highly acclaimed staging of The Band’s Visit in collaboration with the Manoel, as well as School of Rock − The Musical.
“We’ve always been drawn to musicals that break away from the usual formula,” director Dorothy Bezzina said. “Amélie is wonderfully inventive − from the use of puppetry to musicians who are part of the action on stage − all carried by a score that is simply breathtaking. We’re very lucky to have such a versatile and resourceful cast to stage works like this and to offer audiences something a little different. We’re also very happy to be collaborating with Teatru Manoel on a piece that may be unfamiliar to many but is so charming and intriguing.”
The production, running from May 8 to 17, is presented by the Manoel Theatre and Revamp MT, with the support of Creative Europe Desk Malta and the Embassy of France in Malta.
Tickets are available from www.teatrumanoel.mt or by calling the theatre’s box office on 2124 6389.