Mepa puts off Manoel Theatre facade decision amid disagreements
Mepa today again put off a decision on proposed changes to the façade of the Manoel Theatre amid disagreement over how the original façade of the structure appeared.
It however gave the green light for internal restoration involving some of the balconies, the flooring and ways to make it more accessible to wheelchair users.
A Mepa hearing this morning decided that the issue of the façade will remain a reserved matter for a year while more research is carried out.
The theatre was built in 1731 but major alterations to the façade were made over the years. There is disagreement, in particular, over whether there were columns in the original design.
The plan is for hard stone cladding to be laid on the façade around the main door and the two lateral doors.
The intervention will mainly be based on a depiction of the theatre in the Cabreo de Vilhena, a register of properties that showed the façade as it looked in 1734.
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J Galea
Nov 15th 2012, 22:36
Why not leave as is? Why are Maltese always pulling out trees, refurbishing building fronts that don't need refurbishing etc? We really need some environmental conservatism in this country.
Kathy Elliot
Nov 15th 2012, 15:55
Right. If they touch Manoel now, I'm breaking out my torch and pitchfork. ENOUGH mutilation of my capital!
Kevin Vella
Nov 15th 2012, 15:09
Very positive to read that the restoration include ways to make it more accessible to wheelchair users. I believe this includes accessible toilets. What about the step outside and the pavement? One can say that the pavements fall under the LC's responsibility but I think that it is Manoel Theatre's interest that after making the place more accessible, wheelchair user guests can go in freely.
J. Abela
Nov 15th 2012, 13:13
This is a prime example that shows that the reconstruction of old buildings leads to the false interpretation of the past.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Nov 15th 2012, 17:47
Not if you do your homework well. Plans and pictures could be available. The only problem is that a building may change over time -so you have to decide at which time you want the building restored. Full plans and drawings of the Opera House are available and would not have created a problem to rebuild it -as all of Europe has done to destroyed opera houses. But we like to be different.
Lawrence Fenech
Nov 15th 2012, 12:53
If it were to construct villas instead of the facade it would have been different. This reminds me of the monumental scandal of the Teatro Real and Bieb il-Belt thanks to Gonzi and his friend Piano.
Joseph Camilleri
Nov 15th 2012, 13:12
An truly monumental since Piano is a world-level architect for whom countries vie to get his services.
John Zammit
Nov 15th 2012, 14:42
No matter what other countries do we had a entrance up to the 60s now we are going to have an opening
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Nov 15th 2012, 14:57
Mr Camilleri, which countries? Can you quote one country and how it vied to get Piano's services? We certainly did not - not our country. It was our PM and Gatt who silently slinked off to Paris to hand over our heritage to do with it as he pleases.
Christian Sciberras
Nov 15th 2012, 15:23
Lawrence, I believe the comparison to be different. While I categorically disagree with Piano's plans, they weren't designed to restore any building to a former state, hence why I see it not related to the article.
Please choose the reason of your report below: