The former Royal Opera House has been utilised a total of 21 times since it was repurposed into an open-air theatre last year, Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella revealed.

Mr Vella published statistics on the usage of Pjazza Teatru Rjal – as the open-air venue is officially known – in reply to a parliamentary question by MP Censu Galea.

Italian architect Renzo Piano’s plan to convert the British-built opera house, which was left in ruins after it was bombed in April 1931, into an open-air venue proved to be controversial, with many calling for a complete restoration or arguing that an open-air theatre is impractical.

As it turns out, the theatre was used, on average, nearly once a week since it was opened. Despite concerns that the site would only be suitable for the summer months, the main stage was actually utilised nine times between October and December.

The theatre was officially inaugurated on 8 August with a concert by the European Youth Orchestra, in which all 910 seats were filled. But that event was actually the sixth to be held on site: the first, a flamenco dance act, took place on 30 June and 1 July.

The list of 21 events, however, includes four which did not actually utilise the theatre’s main stage. Two meetings were held in the green room, the Ziguzajg festival simply used the booking and information office as an info point, and music performances related to the Social Solidarity Ministry’s Ninghaqdu Kontra l-Faqar initiative were held on the venue’s front steps, opposite the ministry’s premises.

Another meeting actually used the main stage, and the other events consisted of 5 dance acts, a beauty contest, a comedy night, a socio-religious activity and eight music performances, including four orchestral acts.

The theatre was filled to capacity on four separate occasions, although attendance exceeded 800 people in five other events.

The total number of people which attended events at the theatre is estimated to be 11,523.