Manoel to get new rehearsal rooms

Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech yesterday visited the works in progress at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta.

The theatre complex is undergoing refurbishment, which should improve rehearsal and wardrobe facilities. So far, three studio apartments and the wardrobe have been completed.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the old dressing rooms had been pulled down and the theatre was in the process of issuing calls for expressions of interest for building new dressing and rehearsal rooms.

A lift is also being installed in the edifice, while the theatre's fire proof facilities are being improved. The minister said two wells with a capacity of 64 cubic metres of water each would be dug to store water for use in case of fires.

For the third year in a row, restoration work inside the theatre is being undertaken by Italian restorer Sante Guido.

The minister said the government had allocated Lm250,000 to improve facilities at the Baroque theatre.

The Manoel itself was investing Lm90,000 of its own funds to improve its safety standards.

The work started in June and is expected to finish at the end of September.