Alfred E. Griscti, Sliema
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!
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Astrid Vella
Feb 20th 2010, 14:45
@ JFarrugia: You talk of the "sake of the people of Malta"-Have you ever asked them? No,I thought not. Well I have.For two days we stood outside City Gate asking hundreds to sign our petition on St John's AND the Opera House/National Theatre.
To my great surprise,most of what JFarrugia calls 'the people' were far more concerned about the future of the theatre,making passionate appeals for its rebuilding. To these mostly village residents plus some Valletta citizens, the rebuilding is a matter of national pride, a wish to have a decent venue for plays, musicals and concerts (not necessarily classical) and,importantly,a potential source of jobs for tomorrow's performers.
J Farrugia is overlooking the fact that a many of our musicians get their early musical instruction in village band clubs.A far lower percentage of J Farrugia's "snobbish Maltese elite" receive musical training,so it is the children of 'the masses' who have much more to lose if we don't build a successful theatre,rather than a roofless white elephant.
Some of the City Gate petitioners had the vision to link a rebuilt theatre with a boost in tourist numbers and employment in that sector,something J Farrugia fails to see.
laurence schembri
Feb 20th 2010, 13:46
Renzo Piano`s hands were tied to the cost.
lgalea
Feb 20th 2010, 13:25
J Farrugia You posting not only shows your arrogance but also the ARROGANCE with capital letters of Gonzi who wants to go ahead with this destruction and vandalism of our capital city so that he will be remembered in the future at our expense. Yes Farrugia, if the project goes ahead the Gonzi-Piano duo will long be remembered in history as the modern vandals who vandalized our capital city. I wonder if Piano will want that or his commission will get the better of him and his judgment, for as they say every man has his price.
J Farrugia
Feb 20th 2010, 11:21
Malta is not rebuilding its National Theatre. It is just going to build something else instead of that eyesore of ruined theatre. No amount of incitement by such elitistic persons who signed I dont know how many petitions will have it their way for their own egoistic pleasures. If we take the Gozo opera theatres we see that they are always making sacrifices to give those 1,000 theatre goers something worth while with a lot of financial sacrifices. And they dont make any profit. They do it for the love of arts. And now these snobbish maltese elite want it their way. Malta should not accomodate classy pleasures. This building, call it what you want, if it is going to be built , should be for the sake of the people of Malta and not like what happened to St James Cavalier which theatre has been hijacked by some people who are giving it a bad name. It's time to change it's name from St James to any other vulgar name, as long as it is not associated with any christian one.