The 110-year-old Salesian Theatre in Sliema is gearing up for a dramatic architectural overhaul as it continues its transformation into one of Malta’s most exciting contemporary theatre spaces.

Plans unveiled by Chris Briffa Architects aim to modernise the historic building while preserving and restoring many of its original features, some of which have been lost over the years.

The roof in daylight

The theatre auditorium will retain its historic proscenium arch, which boasts a 1910 fresco by Giuseppe Calì, while creating a new thrust stage which can be raised or lowered to form an orchestra pit.

The building will also gain two new performance spaces – a 100-seat black-box theatre and an outdoor stage at roof level – as well as an accessible entrance and foyer, bar and backstage areas.

The makeover is part of a broader transformation the theatre has undergone in recent years, which has seen it go from a local theatre staging mostly work by its in-house company to hosting shows as diverse as The Comedy Knights and the Globe Theatre’s touring Hamlet.

It has also embarked on several of its own performance projects, including programmes focusing on children’s theatre and Shakespeare.

The physical changes follow a consultation exercise with the Sliema community – funded by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector – over its vision and concerns for the town and are at least in part a reaction to one of the most pressing issues raised by locals: overdevelopment.

The auditorium

In a week which has also seen anger over the planned demolition of a different classic arts venue, the Roxy Hall in Birkirkara, Salesian Theatre creative director James Spiteri said the issue was central to the plans.

The roof theatre at night

“We needed to develop the theatre space because it is 110 years old and needs updating from a functional point of view, but thanks to Chris Briffa, we managed to create a harmony between functionality and sensitivity to heritage,” he told the Times of Malta.

“The design is a statement in itself. This is what we think good contemporary design looks like when it comes to a building as historic as this.”

The plans are still at an early stage, as the theatre seeks to gather funding for the massive project while generating interest in the local community. Mr Spiteri urged anyone interested in contributing to the goal to contact the theatre.

The new entrance