Manoel Theatre

If you’ve been researching Malta for anything more than about 15 seconds, you’ll know the island is steeped in history. From pre-historic temples, through the Knights of St John to wartime alliances with the British and subsequent independence, its past is extremely colourful. So, it stands to reason that the story of Malta’s national theatre was never going to be dull!

Damn right! The Manoel Theatre, as it is properly known, is reputed to be the third-oldest working theatre in Europe. It is a beautiful gem of a building and is well worth a visit – either to watch a play or a concert there, or simply to take a guided tour of this magnificent ancient building.

For all of its grand, classical exterior and its gold gilded, jaw-dropping interiors, the Manoel Theatre is quite small, as theatres go. It’s a 623-seat venue, with three tiers of boxes decorated with 22-carat gold leaf, and a fine trompe- l’oeil ceiling that resembles a round cupola.

The construction of the theatre was commissioned and personally funded by the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, Antonio Manoel de Vilhena, in 1731. Its purpose was to serve as a theatre providing entertainment to the general public in Valletta and also to keep the Knights of St John out of mischief!

It was built in 10 months, which, when you consider the era in which it went up and the complexity of the building itself, is a remarkable achievement. The theatre motto ‘ad honestam populi oblectationem’ (‘for the public’s honest entertainment’) was inscribed above the main entrance to the theatre at the time and is still there for all to read today.

The first performance took place here on the 19th January 1732 in the form of a classic Italian tragedy - Scipione Maffei’s ‘Merope’. The actors in that production were the Knights themselves (keeping out of mischief), while the Knights’ chief architect, Francois Mondion (doing likewise) designed the set.

Nowadays, the theatre offers an almost year-round programme of orchestral concerts, drama and comedy performances, musicals, opera, children’s plays and, of course, an excellent festive pantomime (based on the classic British tradition) every Christmas.  


Celebrities who have performed at the Manoel Theatre include Steven Berkoff, Sir Yehudi Menuhin and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

The theatre recently underwent a costly and long refurbishment and now, somewhat bizarrely, incorporates some self-catering apartments on the second floor, which provide affordable accommodation in a prime Valletta location just minutes from the middle of town that cost just €23 per person per day.

Another service not offered by many major theatres is costume hire, so if you are looking for costumes for a carnival, Halloween or fancy dress party, the costume department has more than 6,000 to select from and to rent.

The multi-faceted theatre houses its own museum too, dedicated to its long history and tours of this cost just €4 per person. They take place every 45 minutes on Monday to Friday starting at 10.15am and running to the last departure time of 3.30pm or on Saturdays from 10.15am to 12.30pm. For tour and accommodation bookings please enquire on the email address below.