The curtain rose on MADC’s Beauty and the Beast on Friday, marking the eagerly awaited return of the MADC Christmas pantomime to Teatru Manoel for the first time since 2007.

Written and directed by Chiara Hyzler and starring veteran panto dame Alan Montanaro, Beauty and the Beast opened to a full house, continuing MADC’s decades-long tradition of staging spectacular English-language festive pantos in Malta.

Joining Montanaro in the cast is Hannah Spiteri as Belle and Gianluca Mifsud as the Beast, alongside a hugely talented ensemble of other well-known panto performers, including Jasmine Farrugia, Francesco Nicodeme, Maria Buckle and Rambert Attard. 

Yet more top names also feature with Hyzler in the show’s creative team: musical director Kris Spiteri, choreographer Francesco Nicodeme, set designer Matthew Cassar, costume designer Denise Mulholland and vocal coach Analise Cassar.

Together, they tell the spellbinding fairytale – as ever, with a festive panto twist – of the beautiful Belle and her delightful Nanny, as they set out to find Belle’s missing father.

Very few tickets remain for this popular panto, which runs only until 7 January. Book your tickets today to a matinee or evening performance at www.teatrumanoel.mt – and take your family and friends on a magical adventure at Teatru Manoel this Christmas.  

MADC’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast continues at Teatru Manoel, Valletta, until 7 January 2024. Booking is open at www.teatrumanoel.mt. A 10% discount applies for all tickets for performances on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 January 2024. This production is supported by Benna, Dee Spas and Welbee’s. Suitable for audiences aged 3 and over.