The Islands’ national theatre, the Manoel Theatre, was built in 1731 and opened in 1732 to a season of French classics.

With the eventual liberation by the British in the early 19th century, the next 60 years played host to year-round theatrical productions to an ever increasing audience.

However, this popularity rendered the theatre’s size inadequate and crowds were drawn to the newly finished, much larger Opera House, which was then destroyed by a fire in1873.

This brought a new lease of life to the now renamed Manoel Theatre, but was lost once again however, with the reconstruction of the Opera House. During WWII, the Opera House was totally destroyed in 1944 and once again, the Manoel’s popularity was reborn.

Today, it offers a full calendar ranging from comedy to classics in both English and Maltese by local and international performers. The theatre runs guided tours of the auditorium, back stage and the theatre museum.

Teatru Manoel
115 Old Theatre Street, Valletta VLT1426
Box Office:
Tel. 356 21 246 389
E-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt Website:  www.teatrumanoel.com.mt