I had not been to the Manoel Theatre for quite some time, so I was rather taken aback when, on a recent visit, I saw that the old plush stalls on the ground floor had been replaced by white-covered banquet chairs.

The central aisle has been removed, making this vast expanse of white linen all the more pervasive in this richly-decorated baroque theatre.

This new seating arrangement is so inadequate for its surroundings, far worse, in my opinion, than the green ceramic tiles that covered the floor prior to this latest makeover.