Post war amateur theatre (1944-1951)

Abstract

World War II deprived Malta of the Royal Opera House through bombing. The extent of the damage done to the Island through this loss can only be measured by the older generation who looked upon the Royal Opera House as the venue of Opera, Orchestral music and Drama. Yet looking back one finds some consolation even in this tragic event, !for with the suspension of the opera season grew an urge for amateur dramatics. The result was that the standard of the intimate theatre, as distinguished from opera, took a decisive upward lift. Towards this rebirth the productions of the M.A.D.C., of the British Institute and the newly organised Drama Festivals, contributed a large share in encouraging Maltese amateurs to keep the histrionic torch burning and in bringing into relief the potentiality of the theatre as a medium of healthy entertainment and education. In this connection the names of the Misses Ella and Kay Warren, respectively Hon. Secretary and Producer of the M.A.D.C.; Major A. Cathcart-Bruce, British Council Representative; Mr. James Allen, Regional Officer Toe H, who first organised Drama Festivals of English plays; and of Nikol Biancardi who started similar Festivals of Maltese plays, deserve mention.