Last night, I enjoyed a Chamber of Mysteries performance in Qormi. Until I learn how to get around – without getting lost :o) – I’ve been exploring mostly during the day. Getting lost in the dark is unappealing, and Google Maps seems to have a mental block with some directions in Malta. That’s not surprising, as the islands have narrow, winding medieval streets – like being in a dizzying maze. They remind me of sidestreets in Venice where I also got lost. There are buses, but few Qormi routes are shown on Google Maps. You can find them (sort of) on the Moovit app. Local Bolt taxis have reasonable rates and are efficient. They saved me a few times, when I was lost at night.
So far, my nights have been quiet, especially compared to Rome. When I discovered the Chamber of Mysteries show in Qormi – a 10-minute walk (unless you get lost) from my apartment – I was happy! The award-winning magic show includes an optional dinner of “rustic cuisine served in traditional Maltese style”.
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“Valletta is renowned for its dense network of narrow, winding, often stepped, sixteenth-century sidestreets lined with historic limestone buildings and colorful wooden balconies.”
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Magician
Magician Brian Role’ and his wife and assistant, Lola Palmer, are praised for their charisma and extraordinary talent. Their performances are described as “one-of-a-kind evenings of live entertainment, where anything can happen”! I was impressed with their performance and them as really nice, sincere people. They met everyone in the audience before the performance, and the interaction wasn’t at all pretentious. The magic acts were absolutely amazing, and include the audience. The small audience included a group of Irish college students, a couple from Denmark, and me. All were friendly and fun.
“Brian began offering shows professionally in 1997, bringing wonder and surprise to audiences worldwide. His passion for magic began many years before he became an internationally renowned magician. In fact, it started when he was old enough to hold a deck of cards. Brian’s fascination with magic and illusion continues to inspire his performances.”
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“Renowned international Maltese magician and illusionist Brian Role’, together with his partner, Lola Palmer, were awarded the Merlin Award 2017 for the “Best Magic Dinner Show” by the International Magicians Society (IMS). Previous recipients include David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, Penn & Teller, and Criss Angel.”
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Venue
The venue is Malta’s only theatre of magic set in a historic medieval building in the heart of Qormi. Built centuries ago, by the Knights of Malta, the 400-year-old building now operates as 1743 Razzett L-Antik, an authentic Maltese restaurant. The special setting is a “blend of medieval history and tradition”. The place exudes character and seems strangely familiar. The menu consists of traditional Maltese food, including pasta with a rabbit sauce.
The magic show appears in a “specially designed theatre with limited seating. Every seat has a perfect view of the action”. Special effects include non-toxic smoke and projection lighting.
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“The Chamber of Mysteries is a show of wonder, illusion, and mind-reading feats that defy explanation. It’s a perfect setting for those seeking something different. No wonder it’s ranked as one of the highest rated ‘things to do’ in Malta.”
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“The historic building once served as a milling factory. Its time-worn walls and vaulted ceilings still carry echoes of the past. People say during the Roman Inquisition, wizards secretly met there to discuss magic. Today, the building has been transformed into a family-run Maltese restaurant, offering guests a rustic and authentic atmosphere far removed from modern, sterile settings. Keeping to traditions, it hides the only attraction of its type in Malta – The Theatre of Magic!”
It was a wonderful evening!