FIRST MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2023 No347 THE PEARL JUBILEE ISSUE

PROMOTION
A UNIQUE CHRISTMAS COLLABORATION
Christmas dreaming
with ZfinMalta & The
.
New Victorians
ŻfinMalta’s first-ever Christmas show is a truly unique collaboration with some of Malta’s best
creative minds, bringing to life Trevor Zahra’s much-loved book Ħolm tal-Milied? From the first
seeds of an idea to the astonishing audio-visual performance audiences are about to experience, the
process of bringing the work together has been a magical ride for everyone involved and promises to
be a beautiful and memorable Christmas celebration for all to enjoy. Main photography Kurt Paris,
portrait photography (The New Victorians) Lindsey Bahia.
When ŻfinMalta’s Artistic Director Paolo Mangiola
first approached The New Victorians with a
proposal to adapt the Maltese Christmas story
Ħolm tal-Milied? into a dance theatre production
with original live music performed on stage, the response was a
resounding yes! With the author’s blessing, the next step was to
assemble a team of artists to realise the dream. Italian choreographer
Adriano Bolognino, a rising star on the European dance scene,
accepted the challenge. Dramaturgy is by long-time ŻfinMalta
collaborator Victor Jacono, and for the first time, ŻfinMalta
collaborates with Anna Horvath on set design and Laurent
Uyttersprot with costumes, while Dali Aguerbi weaves his magic with
light design. The result is a captivating full family experience, taking
audiences on a nostalgic ride, while juxtaposing classic Maltese
traditions with a fresh and contemporary choreography, musical
score, and aesthetic.
The New Victorians are a high-profile, award-winning sister duo whose
music and theatre have brought them local and international acclaim.
Since 2015, they have released two full-length studio albums and
multiple EPs, opened for multi-platinum artist Anastacia on her
Evolution Tour and for the BBC Concert Orchestra in 2019, and
repeatedly topped local airplay charts, to name just a few highlights.
Adriano Bolognino’s extensive portfolio of achievements includes
recipient of the Danza&Danza Emergent Choreographer Award 2022,
new creations for Kayzer Ballet in 2023, and Compagnia Opus Ballet in
2022. He was selected by the European Dance Network Aerowaves, and
in 2020 the Venice Biennale commissioned him to create Your body is a
battleground.
Teamed up with the world-class dancers who make up ŻfinMalta,
Malta’s national dance company, this is a collaboration not to be
missed. Tickets are already selling fast, so book now to avoid
disappointment.
ĦOLM TAL-MILIED?
COMPOSED AND DIRECTED BY THE NEW VICTORIANS
CHOREOGRAPHY BY ADRIANO BOLOGNINO
15/16/17 & 20/21/22 December 2023, 19:30
Valletta Campus Theatre
Bookings: showshappening.com
DANCERS Marti Blanco Romeu,
Pearl Calleja, Lidia Caricasole,
Noemi Coin Andreotti, Lotte La
Haye, Jérémie Lafon, Keith
Micallef, Marion Paquet
(Apprentice dancer), Matteo Real,
Simon Riccardi-Zani, Benjamin
Spiteri (Apprentice dancer),
Amber Van Veen
Based on the book Ħolm tal-
Milied? by Trevor Zahra.
Published in Malta by Merlin.
Supported by the Italian Cultural
Institute of Valletta.
LOOKING AHEAD 2024
Looking ahead, ŻfinMalta is launching into a new year of
international tours and collaborations with another stellar
lineup of local and international artists. Tickets are now on sale
for the February performances of ŻfinDays 2024, a double bill
featuring the work of two of Europe’s most renowned choreographers,
Ambra Senatore and Mauro Bigonzetti, and you can catch ŻfinMalta in
April at Belgrade Dance Festival and Teatro Ariosto in Reggio Emilia.
Download the full season programme from the website –
zfinmalta.org.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
ŻFINDAYS 2024 – DOUBLE BILL
Cantata by Mauro Bigonzetti & Aringa Rossa .10 by Ambra Senatore
16/17/18 & 23/24/25 February 2024, 19:30
Valletta Campus Theatre
Bookings: showshappening.com
ŻfinMalta National Dance Company is part of the National Agency for the Performing Arts (NAPA), a public agency providing a joint legal,
administrative, and organisational framework for KorMalta, Teatru Malta and ŻfinMalta.
ŻfinMalta is supported by Visit Malta, Faces, MeDirect, Osteopathy Malta, UN1T, Eden Cinemas and members of the Artistic Director’s Circle.
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