Theatre to remain roofless - PM

The idea of a roofless theatre at the former Opera House was not going to change, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening.

Speaking at the airport following a meeting to discuss the final details of the project at the entrance to Valletta with architect Renzo Piano, Dr Gonzi said that the fact that Malta had other theatres, such as the Manoel Theatre, St James Cavalier and the Mediterranean Conference Centre, which were closed, the country should explore this new concept.

Dr Gonzi said that although artists such as tenor Joseph Calleja had criticised the fact that the theatre was to be open air, he believed this project should retain this concept.

The Prime Minister said it was forecast that work on the project would start in April.

During his meeting with Piano, it was also pointed out that as a result of the public transport reform a smaller bus terminus would be needed so the idea of extending the project to the bus terminus was explored.

They also discussed the possibility of doing something to the facade of the government flats over Freedom Square so that they would blend in with the project.

The inclusion of the terminus and the facade of the flats were not included in the original €60 to €80 million budgeted for the project.

Dr Gonzi said that with Mr Piano, he also discussed the geothermic technology through which the Parliament building would be almost self-sufficient energy wise.

The project, he said, would have a Maltese DNA because it was going to be built using Maltese stone.

Since it was unveiled, Mr Piano and his team had been testing the durability of Maltese stone and their results were positive.