The government intends forging ahead with its plans for a roofless theatre in Valletta, with the Prime Minister saying yesterday it was relying on architect Renzo Piano's advice on the matter.

Widespread dissent was expressed by artistes and the public on the idea of an open-air performing space as part of the City Gate project and 128 artistes have signed a petition expressing their disgruntlement with the concept.

Reacting to the recent petition, Dr Gonzi had said that "Piano believes it should remain an open space for our country to have a variety of spaces to be used for art and culture".

While he said he believed the comments about the shortcomings in Maltese theatres were all valid and should be addressed by the government, it did not make sense to build another theatre like the Manoel, "one of the country's jewels".

However, such ideas were open to consultation and he was willing to meet the petitioners, he had said.

Dr Gonzi said yesterday the government intended "relying on Piano's advice" on the matter.

The petition was backed by Maltese personalities of all backgrounds. It includes names of international and local repute such as tenor Joseph Calleja, dancer Felix Busuttil, veteran actor Lino Farrugia and philosopher Fr Peter Serracino Inglott.

The latter, one of the Nationalist Party's longest standing strategists, has expressed himself against the concept of an open-air theatre.

It was recently clarified that there would be a partial roof added to the designs to protect performers and equipment from the elements but Fr Serracino Inglott was unimpressed, saying Dr Gonzi should tell the world-famous architect to add a whole roof even if it costs more.

He said Dr Gonzi's failure to handle this small point was leading to an anti-Piano reaction on the project.