Manoel Theatre ceiling to be restored

The ceiling of the Manoel Theatre's auditorium will be restored over the summer months in the fourth phase of the theatre's refurbishment project.

This phase was not in the original project agreement, but Manoel Theatre Restoration Committee chairman Rosette Fenech said that after seeing the good job done so far, a decision was taken last September to restore the ceiling.

Ms Fenech, who represents Malta International Airport, which is the project's main sponsor, explained that special scaffolding would be needed to enable the restorers to carry out their work without cluttering the theatre, which is regularly visited by tourists.

According to Restorer Sante Guido, the restoration does not involve painting, but rather cleaning up the ceiling to uncover the original colours.

It was in 1731 that Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena, identifying the need for a central building serving, in his own words, "for the honest recreation of the people" commissioned and funded the construction of the theatre which is in Old Theatre Street, Valletta.

The theatre's restoration project started in 2003 and the first phase included the restoration of the decorative panels of the frontispiece of the auditorium boxes. The second involved the maintenance operation of the gilt decoration while during the third phase, restorers worked on the proscenium arch and its boxes as well as the ceiling of the proscenium and the coat of arms of Grand Master de Vilhena.

MIA chief executive Peter Bolech said the theatre was an important part of the island's heritage which deserved to be maintained. He described the progress over the years as "tremendous", adding that the theatre deserved the best treatment.

Manoel Theatre chairman Wilfred Kenely stressed the importance of sponsors to support such projects, since the theatre was not able to finance all of them itself.

Through funds generated over the years the theatre was working on fire-safety projects, which, although not as spectacular as the restoration work, were still essential. Work was also underway to build the theatre's backstage area.