Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi recently visited the Astra Theatre to view the restoration work that is in progress.

He was welcomed by La Stella Philharmonic Society president Dolindo Cassar and the theatre’s management team.

Dr Gonzi was given a tour of the theatre complex, especially the areas that were damaged by the fire on 8 November 2003.

He met volunteers who are carrying out restoration and finishing work inside the theatre’s auditorium and backstage areas that were severely damaged or destroyed in the fire.

The bulk of the restoration work required an amount of more than Lm200,000 – the bulk of which is coming directly from the non-profit making La Stella Philharmonic Society itself, partly through funds raised with the help of volunteers and donors.

The Astra Theatre will re-open its doors with the double-production of Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème, starring tenor Joseph Calleja and soprano Tatiana Lisnic, on Thursday, 27 and Saturday, 29 October.

La Bohème forms part of this year’s Festival Mediterranea, which begins on 21 October.