Cabaret to mark luxurious renovation of public toilets

Prostitutes will again taunt drunken sailors as they stumble along Strait Street, Valletta, in a cabaret marking the luxurious renovation of the public toilets there next week.

Based on the street's colourful history and its proximity to what was once a popular bar, the facilities are a far cry from their former state and stench.

Designed by architect Chris Briffa, the public convenience will boast an audiovisual installation by artist Norbert Attard. This involves a rectangular neon light work positioned diagonally against a highly-polished steel wall with a recording of a barmaid in conversation, with the script written by actor and director Narcy Calamatta.

The work symbolises the street's former spontaneous nightlife, renowned for its seedy bars, popular dance halls and thriving prostitutes, sparking many bar brawls involving the young sailors on shore leave. In a cult novel following his arrival on a naval ship, American author Thomas Pynchon had described it as the island's red light zone.

Speaking about the project, commissioned by the Valletta local council, mayor Alexei Dingli said this was just the first of five public toilets that would be renovated in the coming months. Each will similarly be based on their surroundings' history.

Those in Kart Street will be based on commerce because it is situated off Republic Street; those in Melita Street on the city's fortifications and those in Marsamxett Harbour on the nearby sea. However, the facilities in St Paul Street, the largest in the city, are still on the drawing board and a theme has not yet been decided.

Nevertheless, Dr Dingli said the renovation would involve the whole building, which includes three floors.

Describing the overall project, he said the works were being done on a public-private partnership basis and discussions were underway to reach an agreement whereby two thirds of the construction and maintenance costs were paid for by the private sector and the rest by the council.

Moreover, to curb abuse, Dr Dingli said a minimal charge of a few cents would be charged to anyone using the public toilets. The former ones, he explained, were often vandalised and furnishings stolen.