Restoration work at the Manoel Theatre has uncovered what could be the original design and colours of the timber structure in the theatre, which was conceived by Grandmaster Manoel De Vilhena and inaugurated in 1732.
A bright red as well as a light sky blue colour, which matches the theatre's ceiling, were uncovered during the work carried out by Prof. Sante Guido and his team, who have been commissioned to do the work.
Now a major decision has to be taken to determine which colour scheme to adopt, a decision which could change the looks of the theatre's interior.
The team has just completed the second phase of the project which, once wrapped up in two years' time, will see the theatre restored to its former glory.
The second phase, which involved the maintenance of 24 boxes on the left hand side of the theatre, cost Lm10,000, including Lm2,200 for the 24-carat gold leaf to re-gild the ornaments.
Giving a detailed visual representation of the discovery and the work, Prof. Guido said a series of tests would now have to be carried out to confirm that the findings do date back to the time when the theatre was first built.
Ray Bondin, Valletta Rehabilitation Project chairman and member of the restoration committee, confirmed that a scientific analysis of the newly uncovered colours will be commissioned.
He explained that the work consisted mainly of the consolidation of the colour on the façade of the boxes, which were covered by wax and stains as a result of lack of maintenance over the years.
The inner part of the theatre has gone through a number of colour schemes in the past and it was difficult, with the lack of historical documentation, to arrive at the 'correct' or original colour.
This intervention meant the change of some of the colours, the introduction of considerable areas of green and the poor substitution of gilded areas with porporina.
Prof. Guido said that between the 1960s to date somebody must have tried to clean the surface of the theatre boxes with some soap or detergent, softening the gold and dulling the colour in the process.
He also pointed out that 35 per cent of the wooden surface was cracked mainly due to high temperatures in the summer months.
The restorers finished the cleaning process, and concluded that with the lack of documentary evidence, they should maintain the present colour scheme.
This has meant not only the cleaning of all the surface areas, but also the restoration of stucco parts, which was damaged by humidity, and the re-facing of the coloured parts.
The restorers also decided to re-gild only where the gold leaf was completely missing, and they also 'dirtied' the new fold gilding so as not to have very bright and dark areas. Some areas were also covered with silver and a transparent lacquer and this effect was maintained.
The theatre's restoration is being funded through a private-public initiative, with Malta International Airport as the main sponsors, together with Computime, Din l-Art Helwa, the VRP and the Manoel Theatre.
To mark the completion of the second phase the MIA is holding a concert by the Vienna Imperial Ensemble, with Maltese soprano Lydia Caruana and Austrian baritone Benno Schollum tomorrow at the Manoel at 7.30 p.m.