The Association of Performing Arts Practitioners has described the stage of the new Open Theatre in Valletta as unsuitable for certain dance and theatre performances.

It said that it had been informed by the  Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation that the present stage deck is not the finished product and for theatrical performances the stage will have a proper dance carpet.

However the corporation did not explain what it meant by ‘finished product’ and ‘proper dance carpet’.

“The flooring would have to be covered with a high-quality professional dance carpet for dance performances due to the uneven surface and high risk of injury. It cannot be just any lino carpet - but a dance carpet which is sprung well enough to compensate for the current surface and which can be used for all weather conditions: mainly humidity, rain and sun. However, using a dance carpet automatically rules out Flamenco or Tap Dance performances where a wooden floor is needed," commented Emma Loftus, the APAP Dance Representative.

Pia Zammit, APAP Theatre Representative, added that it was unsafe for actors to walk in heels on the current decked-flooring, and that a dance carpet would never solve this problem as one could not walk on any dance carpet wearing high heels.

This is the second time APAP have shown concern about the usability of the space. The first time was when the seating design was changed to a permanent tiered structure – Renzo Piano’s original plan was for the space to be used as a ‘piazza’ (square) during the long period when the theatre cannot be used. With the current seating structure the ‘piazza’ concept cannot happen.