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The theatre is the heart and soul of a nation. It reflects the social moods of the day and, in turn, projects them on the creative canvas that is the stage. The theatre in Malta goes back centuries, surfacing, hibernating and re-emerging through the different civilisations that regularly left their mark on a strategic island in the middle of the most important sea routes in the history of humankind.
It was the Knights of Malta, however, who put it on a steady footing with the creation of various theatrical venues for the eight langues of the Order. Then, with the building of the magnificent Manoel Theatre in the new capital of Valletta in 1732, the stage instantly became a must for the nobles, the knights and the Maltese intelligentsia.
Today, it is the National Theatre where a wide range of productions including opera, ballet, contemporary dance, music, children’s performances and drama in Maltese and English, is offered every busy season. Visitors to the Manoel can enjoy the best of local talent and exciting foreign productions, take the guided tour to get a glimpse of the theatre’s history, visit the shop and enjoy a glass of wine in the courtyard.
Malta also had a no less majestic Royal Opera House, built in 1866, but it was unfortunately destroyed in 1942 by a German bomb during World War II. There are many other theatres in villages and towns all over Malta. In Gozo, two rival theatres, the Astra and the Aurora, regularly offer top-quality stage and operatic productions that are worth crossing the channel to watch them.
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The Manoel Theatre. Malta’s national theatre, the Manoel has a long season which includes a wide variety of theatrical events and concerts. For more information call (+356) 2124 6389 or visit www.teatrumanoel.com.mt
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