For the first time Science in the City will be featuring an International Science Theatre Festival with two outstanding theatrical  plays from London and Torino. The Trials of Galileo presented by Icarus Theatre Collective and L’uomo che pesò il mondo presented by Nuove Cosmogonie Teatro will be performed at the Palace Courtyard, St George’s Square, Valletta, on Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2014.

After a successful tour of the US, a sold-out run at the Brighton Fringe Festival, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Royal Shakespeare Company veteran and RADA professor Tim Hardy will be bringing his solo show The Trials of Galileo to Malta. Written and directed by Emmy Award winning writer Nic Young, this one man show highlights the dramatic events surrounding Galileo heresy trial in 1633, and how he misjudged the politics and thinking of the time.

“The Universe is a divine miracle Galileo, not a clockwork toy! ‘Proof’ denies faith, and without faith we are nothing.”  This reprimand of Pope Urban (1624) contained Galileo’s tragedy – a mistaken belief that all he had to do was show his reasoning and evidence and the church would fall in behind him. This performance has thrilled many audiences and received many acclaimed reviews: “A tour-de-force from this fine actor!” – Brighton Fringe Review. “Inspiring” – Indianapolis Business Journal.  “Galileo is simply ‘magnifico’ – Round Town.

Supported by the British Council- Malta The Trials of Galileo is being brought to Malta by The University’s Research Trust (RIDT) in collaboration with Teatru Manoel.  The show starts at 20:00hrs at the Palace Courtyard, Valletta. Running time is 1hr 10min with no interval.

L’Uomo che pesò il mondo written by Italian actress Katia Capato and Maltese actor Pino Scicluna who together founded NuoveCosmogonieTeatro in 2012. Their performances unite an accurate historical and scientific research to a more playful theatrical language that at times touches the poetical, dramatic and comic aspects.

L’Uomo che pesò il mondo is an interesting and fascinating production, an idea taken from Massimo Arattano and Albertina Gatti and aided by science consultancy SaperCapire. Starring Pino Scicluna, the story explores ideas, discoveries and achievements of some great scientists such as Henry Cavendish, Robert Hooke, Isaac Newton, Giovanni Keplero and Tycho Brahe.

The solo play is one hour long and starts after The Trials of Galileo ends, at 22:00hrs, at the Palace Courtyard.

The International Science Theatre Festival is being supported by Teatru Manoel and held under the artistic consultancy of Sean Buhagiar. Tickets at €15 per person for each play can be obtained from Teatru Manoel online booking: teatrumanoel.com.mt.