Hoi Polloi Theatre Company

A Platform for Emerging Talent | A Commitment to Excellence | Theatre for All

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Our History – From a Sixth Form Idea to a Professional Theatre Company

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Founded in 2004, Hoi Polloi Theatre Company began as a sixth-form idea—a dream to create a community-driven theatre company where young and aspiring artists could hone their craft, collaborate with theatre veterans, and perform for live audiences. What started as a grassroots initiative quickly evolved into a professional theatre company, leaving a lasting impact on Malta’s performing arts scene.

Inspired by the story of Billy Elliot, Hoi Polloi has always championed the idea that talent can emerge from the most unexpected places. Just as Billy, the son of a widowed coal miner, had the potential to become a world-class dancer, so too do many undiscovered artists possess the ability to thrive in theatre—both locally and internationally.

 

The Early Years (2004–2007) – Laying the Foundations

Hoi Polloi’s early productions built the company’s reputation for innovative and engaging theatre, establishing a strong presence in the local theatre scene:
🎭 Sindi Rella – A Summer Panto (2004) – St Aloysius College, Birkirkara.
🎭 Tarzan & Gejni – The Pantoween (2005) – St Aloysius College, Birkirkara.
🎭 This Thing Called Love – A Night with Cole Porter (2006) – Teatru Manoel, Valletta.
🎭 Christmas With Hoi Polloi (2007) – St Aloysius College, Birkirkara.

As the productions grew in scale and ambition, Hoi Polloi cemented its place as a community theatre company that blended entertainment with artistic development.

 

2011 – A Turning Point: The Move Toward Professional Theatre

After a brief hiatus, Hoi Polloi made a triumphant return in 2011 with an ambitious production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. This marked the company’s transition from community theatre to a professional production house, raising the bar in both artistic quality and audience engagement.

Following this success, the company paused its theatre productions to invest in the next generation of performers, shifting focus toward:
🎭 The Hoi Polloi Academy (founded in 2013) – Providing structured training for young performers.
🎭 The Creative Hub (established in 2018) – A dedicated studio space bringing together theatre education, rehearsals, and creative development under one roof.

 

2019 – A Bold Return: CATS & A New Era

After years of focusing on arts education, Hoi Polloi returned to the professional theatre stage in 2019 with a spectacular production of CATS. This production marked a new era, where Hoi Polloi positioned itself as a professional theatre company producing large-scale, high-quality performances.

However, the momentum was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing another pause in theatre productions. Despite the challenges, Hoi Polloi adapted and evolved, ensuring that the Academy and Creative Hub remained active, resilient, and ready for a comeback.

 

2024 – Re-emerging with Youropean

In 2024, Hoi Polloi Theatre Company reclaimed its place on stage with Youropean, a groundbreaking production commissioned by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Malta. This production explored themes of European identity and cultural dialogue through bold, innovative storytelling. The return of Hoi Polloi as a producer of original, thought-provoking theatre reaffirmed its commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and shaping the Maltese theatre landscape.

 

A Theatre Company with a Mission

Hoi Polloi has evolved from a sixth-form idea into a professional theatre company, but its core values remain unchanged:

✔ Developing Individual Potential – Providing opportunities for artists of all ages and experiences to express themselves through theatre.
✔ Building Confidence & Community – Encouraging self-esteem, teamwork, and life skills through performing arts education and professional productions.
✔ Enriching Cultural Life – Contributing to Malta’s theatrical landscape with high-quality productions that inspire and engage audiences.

With its passion for storytelling, dedication to artistic growth, and commitment to redefining theatre, Hoi Polloi Theatre Company strives to be a driving force in Malta’s performing arts industry—one that inspires, nurtures, and entertains.