Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1210395
13.02.2020 16 TOWNSCAPES Highest protection status given to historic open-air theatre and residence in St Julian's A late 19th-century residential property which has a unique neoclassical theatre in its gar- den has been formally recog- nised as a Grade 1 building by the Planning Authority, the highest protection status af- forded to a building. e property in Triq il-Karm- nu, St Julian's, close to the Lap- si Chapel is considered to be one of the earliest properties in the area. Of significant importance is a historic open-air theatre in the back garden of the property. According to historical doc- umentation, Teatru Melita as it was known was built around the year 1870 and is consid- ered to be the oldest surviving theatre of any kind in the Tas- Sliema and St. Julians area. e theatre started to be fre- quented by people who spent their summer holidays in the area, which was predominant- ly a summer resort amongst a few farmers and a small com- munity of fishermen. Apart from theatrical perfor- mances and lectures, cinema films were occasionally also screened there. It is evident that this theatre played an important role in the growth of making theatre a popular platform of entertain- ment in Malta. It also served as the birth- place of the most important theatre company of late nine- teenth and early twentieth century Malta, the Kumpanija L'Indipendenza, made famous by Mikelang Borg. e residential part of the property also exhibits signifi- cant vernacular architectural elements and features that are synonymous with traditional Maltese townhouses and ur- ban conservation areas. is late 19th-century build- ing was the residence of the fourth Maltese president, Dr Vincent (Censu) Tabone, and his wife, Maria Tabone. e Planning Authority in consultation with the Super- intendent of Cultural Herit- age scheduled the property as Grade 1 in view of its ar- chitectural value as well as its historical, political and social significance associated with the theatre and the person of Dr Tabone.