A Star Pairing for Teatru Astra: Maxine Aquilina and Joseph Zammit Lead Kiss Me, Kate

Teatru Astra is thrilled to announce that acclaimed Maltese performers Maxine Aquilina and Joseph Zammit will lead the cast of its forthcoming production of Cole Porter’s celebrated musical Kiss Me, Kate, to be staged in April 2027.

A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a Master's degree in Musical Theatre, Maxine Aquilina will return to the Astra stage as Lilli Vanessi/Katherine, following a distinguished career that has seen her perform leading roles in productions including Mamma Mia!, My Fair Lady and Cabaret. Audiences at Teatru Astra will also remember her as Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act and, notably, as Sandy in Grease, the theatre's first musical theatre production staged in 2016.

Joining her in the lead role of Fred Graham/Petruchio is actor and tenor Joseph Zammit, one of Malta's most versatile stage performers. With a career spanning more than one hundred productions, Zammit has established himself as a prominent figure in the local performing arts scene through acclaimed performances in musicals, theatre and opera. His extensive credits include The Last Five Years, Hush, Manwel Dimech and numerous productions with WhatsTheirNamesTheatre and MoreOrLessTheatre, both in Malta and internationally.

A witty and sophisticated blend of Shakespearean comedy, backstage drama and some of Cole Porter’s most memorable melodies, Kiss Me, Kate is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of the American musical theatre repertoire.

The production will mark an important milestone for Teatru Astra, celebrating its tenth musical theatre production since embarking on a musical theatre programme a decade ago.