MADC’s Peter Pan flies into Teatru Manoel this Christmas

Christmas in Malta means panto – and this year the trip to Teatru Manoel goes by way of Neverland. MADC’s Peter Pan opens in Valletta on 22 December and runs until 5 January, with 20 matinee and evening performances to choose from.

Written by Chiara Hyzler and directed by Stephen Oliver, the show follows Wendy and her brothers as they fly to Neverland with Peter Pan. There, they team up with a larger-than-life Dame to take on Captain Hook and his hopeless crew of pirates.

In keeping with panto tradition, the script is packed with songs from across the decades and plenty of panto silliness for younger audiences, while the yearly dose of political satire is aimed squarely at the grown-ups.

Jean Pierre Busuttil returns as the Dame, with Francesco Nicodeme as Captain Hook and David Ellul as Peter Pan. They are joined in the brilliant cast by Melissa Mercieca, Carla Fenech, Karl Bartolo and Sam Casha, while the production introduces Jack Camilleri, Robert Marshall Adams and Luca Troia. A talented supporting ensemble completes the company.

Meanwhile, MADC’s creative team once again creates the panto magic on stage. Kris Spiteri directs the music, with choreography by Francesco Nicodeme, costumes designed by Nicole Cuschieri, sets by Fraser Lappin and singing led by Maria Eleonora Zammit.

For many families, an afternoon or evening at the panto is as much a part of Christmas as the tree. As Malta’s longest-running theatre company, MADC has a long history of staging spectacular festive pantomimes – and this year, the company is giving families twice the choice. For the first time ever, the performance run of Peter Pan at Teatru Manoel will run in parallel with MADC’s annual pantomime at Teatru Salesjan, Hercules.

“Panto is the one show of the year that brings the whole family to the theatre together, and for many children it is their first visit to one,” says director Stephen Oliver. “Peter Pan has pirates, a Dame and a story every generation knows, so it gives us everything we need for a proper Christmas outing – book early, bring the grandparents and come ready to boo the pirates!”

MADC’s Peter Pan pantomime performs at Teatru Manoel, Valletta, from 22 December 2026 to 5 January 2027, with matinee and evening performances available. This production is suitable for audiences aged three and over, and is supported by Dee Spas Wellness, Elia Caterers, Brown’s and La Maison Française. Booking is open at madc.com.mt or teatrumanoel.mt.