Intensive restoration, structural and redecoration works at the Teatru Astra in Gozo are in full-swing to bring the theatre back to operation mode in time for this year’s Festival Mediterranea, which kicks off on 21 October. The theatre was partially damaged in a fire, caused by an electric short circuit, on 8 November, 2003.

The Astra will once again open its doors to its discerning public after long months of extensive work to replace what was severely damaged in November 2003. The fire destroyed around a third of the auditorium ceiling together with cinema and stage facilities and the entire electrical and sound cables and equipment, ranging from front of stage to backstage.

In recent months, volunteers and private contractors have been working tirelessly at the Astra to bring it back to its former glory. Experts of all sorts, including structural engineers, architects, acoustics engineers, designers and others have all been recruited to monitor the project’s development.

Electricity and sound systems have been re-installed, backstage and front of stage facilities have been prepared and are ready to be installed; the original polysterene ceiling has been replaced with a new fire-proof material which is lending itself to a new design, echoing the new face-lift being given to the auditorium. Structural changes have also been carried out to accommodate a higher number of patrons inside the auditorium and the two tiers. Naturally, latest fire and safety measures have been taken into consideration as were the theatre’s perfect acoustics.

After late Frank Portelli’s Sixties’ designs, the newer Teatru Astra will now portray modern concepts linked to the classical layout, under the expert designer’s lead, Oscar-winning Peter Howitt. New motifs for the two-tiered boxes and balcony are presently being prepared while a new stage curtain and other drapery are being given their final touches by a group of volunteers. Other helpers, both young and not so young, are heavily assisting the Teatru Astra management team and its project manager Ray Bugeja to meet its sharp deadline by the end of this month.

Every effort is being done for the theatre to be completely completed by then, with all structural and decorative works ready to host this year’s fully-booked twin opera productions of La Bohème, starring Joseph Calleja and his wife Tatiana Lisnic – full rehearsals for which will start in the coming weeks.