A weekend of live action animation and puppetry at the Manoel Theatre
From February 15 to 18, two excellent theatrical productions are coming to the Manoel Theatre. Prepare for a weekend of live action puppetry and animation, as Theatre Anon brings you unique musical productions of ‘The Little Prince’ and ‘Daqsxejn ta’ Requiem Lil Leli’
Founded in 1994, Theatre Anon is a collective of actors and theatre makers who all directly contribute to the creative process. Whether they work in composition, costuming, set and light design, or stage direction, they all come together to put on highly theatrical and enjoyable experiences for all kinds of audiences. The two shows are being put on as part of Theatre Anon’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
THE LITTLE PRINCE
Adapted from the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, ‘The Little Prince’, tells the tale of a weary pilot who gets stuck in the Sahara Desert due to a plane malfunction. There, he encounters a mysterious, regal little boy who asks him to draw a sheep. Throughout their time in the desert, the titular little prince entertains him with tales of his galactic travels and his tense relationship with a certain rose on his own tiny planet. He encourages the aviator to record these stories through drawing, just like he did when he was a boy himself. In the process, he helps the estranged aviator rediscover how to laugh, cry, and love again.
This unique production features live drawing as part of the action, animated by Francesca Grech. Prepare to be enthralled by a young puppet prince as he takes you on a cerebral and emotional journey as he travels the universe. Directed by Chris Gatt, this show was originally commissioned by the ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children and Young People 2021.
DAQSXEJN TA’ REQUIEM LIL LELI
Before being adapted into a musical by Kris Spiteri, ‘Daqsxejn ta’ Requiem lil Leli’ (A Modest Requiem for Leli) was a long Maltese poem by Immanuel Mifsud. The requiem recounts Leli’s final hours as he rereads the most significant portions of his life—most notably his early years, during which he meets his parents, family, friends, and teachers—while unconscious. Leli’s visions become more poetic and endearing as his passing draws closer, coming across toy trains, butterflies, merry-go-round white horses, and beautiful women.
Theatre Anon transforms what is a poetic reflection on a regular man’s life into a dramatic extravaganza that celebrates the journey it is and human ingenuity. Prepare to be mesmerised as a life-size puppet version of Leli relives his unforgettable experiences, backed by an eight-piece chamber orchestra. This production was first put on in July of 2018, where it made its debut at the Malta International Arts Festival. being reenacted as part of Theatre Anon’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Both shows will be accessible to those who don’t speak Maltese, as ‘Daqsxejn ta’ Requiem lil Leli’ will be performed in Maltese with English surtitles. Plus, if you get tickets for both ‘Daqsxejn ta’ Requiem lil Leli’ and ‘The Little Prince’ you can benefit from a 10% discount by using the Promo Code: ANON30. To purchase a ticket or find more information you can visit Teatru Manoel’s official site here.
So, why not enjoy a theatrical double feature this weekend?
