Maltese Theatre
The tradition of Maltese theatre dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, where the demand for operas, pageants, theatrical and dramatic productions boomed, as the Maltese embraced what had previously been entertainment reserved solely for the nobility. In the past, shows were performed by amateurs and were hosted at the Knight's Auberges around the city of Valletta.
The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts is the organisation responsible for promoting culture and arts. Since 18th century, theatre has always been lively and a well-symbolized part of the local cultural scene. A variety of local and international drama, dance and music troupes perform on the Islands, creating a very vibrant theatrical calendar of events. However, due to the small dimensions of the islands, one is not able to find professional theatre, while all Maltese Theatre Entertainment Companies are amateur. Nevertheless, local companies are extremely dedicated and passionate about their art and they always manage to stage excellent performances.
The theatre season runs between October and May and performances are mainly held in English and Maltese. Theatres in Malta host a good variety of events ranging from festivals, drama, comedy, classical music concerts, dance shows, opera, ballet and much more.
Some of the most prominent theatres situated in Malta are the following:
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Manoel Theatre Malta built by the Knights of Malta in 1731, now currently known as the royal theatre.
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St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity built by the Knights of Malta with the function to provide raised gun-platforms to counteract attacks.
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The Mediterranean Conference Centre,
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The Old University building in Valletta and the University of Malta at Tal-Qroqq.
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The Aurora Theatre in Gozo
The cultural calendar in Malta is full of events ranging from concerts of classical and contemporary music to opera, visual arts exhibits, and a particularly theatre scene. Thanks to this full calendar, Valletta, (having recently won the European Capital of Culture award for 2018), boasts the greatest concentration of artistic expression, with its theatres, museums and venues.