Sir Cameron Mackintosh's involvement in the national discussion concerning aspects of architect Renzo Piano's plans for Valletta is quite understandable, and welcome.

After all, this rich - and respected - theatre producer, who also owns property in Malta, is partly Maltese.

If he can really fix the Mediter-ranean Conference Centre's shortcomings he would be eternally thanked, but it is hoped that his solution will respect the intrinsic historical and architectural value of this much-loved building.

The timing of Sir Cameron's unexpected involvement causes readers to wonder whether the Culture Ministry sought his opinion not just to fix the MCC but also, possibly, to help bail the administration out of the silly situation it has lodged itself into with its ridiculous insistence that the roofless theatre concept is the right choice. Nothing really wrong if such was indeed the case. We are all searching for the right solution after all.

Opponents to Mr Piano's plans for a roofless theatre are suggesting the problem of space could be overcome if the bombed theatre site, Ordinance Street and part of Freedom Square were incorporated into one site where a modern arts centre/theatre could be built.

What do Sir Cameron, Mr Piano and the Prime Minister think of this suggestion? Does it make sense? People would like to be told at least that much.

Sir Cameron says: "Mr Piano's proposal for the former opera house site would provide a terrific venue for open air music, drama and opera in a spectacular setting during the summer months." Are any of his seven West End theatres open air?

Would he invest in a white elephant that will be used only "during summer months"? Is the congested, noisy and distracting site really "a terrific, spectacular venue that would meet the rightful expectations of contemporary audiences"?

Sir Cameron continues: "the extremely imaginative new shell of the (proposed Piano) building inspired by the original design (of the bombed theatre) is flexible enough to open up to become an inviting public space, similar to the intimate Greek theatre out of the performance season."

Sir Cameron unfortunately concludes in a manner that may inadvertently mislead people. He declares: "London has its authentic Shakespeare's Globe and the open air theatrein Regent's Park, New York has its Delacourt Theatre and Aix-en-Provence has its historic old courtyard. Valletta is the perfect place to have a similar attraction."

But the facts are quite different. The Globe does have covered galleries and a thatched roof as well. Sir Cameron also knows that the roofless theatres in London and in New York are located in extensive parks.

In view of this, the public expects our administration to consider the situation very carefully. A way out can certainly be found: if my suggestion for the old theatre site to be enlarged is indeed possible, then could we not build a magnificent Piano roofed building there?

If we opt to use the MCC as a national theatre (using Sir Cameron's expertise) then the new building on the bombed site would certainly be more than enough to build an arts centre and parliament.

There are so many possibilities... I think it is people like Mr Piano who can lead us into making the right decisions. We had possibly not allowed him to work freely enough.

We need to give him the space to use his genius. I believe he might now have the space required to change his roofless theatre into something more valid for our beautiful capital city. He can certainly give us that!

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