Roofless theatre unworthy of artistic tradition (3)

So Renzo Piano is going to have it his way. Our national theatre will be roofless.

The Prime Minister has had to satisfy Mr Piano's artistic ego, notwithstanding the pleadings of avid theatre-goers, who have pointed out eloquently the disadvantages of a roofless theatre in dusty, windy, noisy Malta, not to mention the possibility of inclement weather. But perhaps Mr Piano has undertaken to clean the seats before every performance and to provide raincoats, umbrellas and ear plugs to the patrons during the numerous summer festas that are held within a reasonable radius of Valletta!

With due respect to the Prime Minister, the arguments he outlined for justifying that Malta "deserved" a different theatre, are, to say the least feeble and contradictory. He stated that as the Manoel Theatre, St James Cavalier and the Mediterranean Conference Centre are closed theatres, a new concept was needed. At the same time he added that recently several concerts have been held in open air venues, such as Manoel Island, Republic Square and the square in front of the Mdina Cathedral. So, if we have adequate open-air venues, what is the point of adding another one?

Presumably, he must have attended these open air concerts, and surely he must have noted the awful conditions prevailing, including the shameful acoustics. But he will argue, of course, that Mr Piano will see to that.

The other argument which boggles the mind is that if the theatre had to be closed off, it would be too small. Perhaps a reputable architect can explain to me how a room becomes smaller if you put a roof over it!

But at least we are told that the project will have a Maltese DNA. What a relief! If we really wish to give a true identity to our capital city, we should have built a "state of the art" national theatre using all the necessary space needed in Freedom Square, rather than plant a Parliament building where is does not belong; and then saying that the theatre will be too small.

To err is human, to persist is diabolical!