Over 120 artistes, directors and theatre crew of all ages, disciplines and genres called on the Prime Minister to rethink the planned open-air theatre in Valletta and replace it with one that fulfilled their needs.
Artistes of international and local repute, such as tenor Joseph Calleja, veteran actor Lino Farrugia, dancer Felix Busuttil and philosopher Fr Peter Serracino Inglott, came together to urge the government, in a letter, to consult them over the type of theatre that will be built.
In a statement attached to the letter, television director and playwright Mario Philip Azzopardi said the idea of an open theatre was a wrong one.
"Going against the obvious is tantamount to blatant arrogance that will ultimately prove disastrous and, at best, form part of the eternal cancerous weight of mediocrity," he said.
In less than 24 hours, 128 theatre lovers and critics signed the letter, which was delivered by hand to the Prime Minister yesterday afternoon.
They expressed their disappointment over the lack of consultation on the proposed open air theatre that forms part of the government's plans - drawn up by architect Renzo Piano - for City Gate.
The letter also contested a statement by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi last week after a meeting with Mr Piano that an open-air theatre was a "new concept to Malta".
Maltese theatre practitioners had experience in the pitfalls and opportunities of open-air theatres but their advice was ignored, the letter said.
Describing the project as "interesting", the artistes said it was not a solution to the "huge shortcomings" found in other theatres but repeated and would lead to other problems.
Speaking about the open-air theatre, Mr Azzopardi said: "Having lived my life in the arts, I know the open-air theatre concept being presently considered is simply wrong. Wrong artistically, wrong technically, wrong environmentally."
The open-air theatre in Valletta would have a number of logistical and financial problems that would make the use of space as "successful" as the other open air theatre in Ta' Qali, the artistes added.
The letter was signed by actors, dancers, musicians, directors, choreographers, producers, crew and people actively involved in the Maltese performing arts scene.