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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Rehabilitation of theatres in Sicily

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ABSTRACT: In Sicilian area, as well as elsewhere in Europe, the theatres built between the last decades of the XVIII century and the beginning of the XX century are progressively disappearing because of integrations and substitutions required by the new “modernity”, the change of use of the building itself that do not respect the original purpose. The current study, starting from a 1868 census carried on by the Home Office of the Italian Reign, punctually retraces the status of the surveyed theatres, and updates the list of those that were built afterwards, it also analyzes theatres’ state of maintenance, current use and occurred changes. In the most of the cases we are in front of “Italian-style theatres” where, with the exception of few cases characterized by a high complexity and monumentality, as opera houses, are easily recognizable in minor dimensions and quality the areas of access and distribution, stalls surrounded by lines of wooden boxes, the stage area with stagecraft movement system. Inside the theatrical building there usually were some elements of high historical and artistic value, such as the decorative elements of the stalls, the reeds and gypsum painted ceilings, and the audacious structures covering stage and stalls. Beyond the great number of ancient buildings that has been destroyed by collapses, demolitions, and substitutions with modern storey-buildings, we have verified as the function of cinema has frequently caused the reconfiguration of the entire distributive and decorative apparatus that are now not always respectful of the original configuration. Nevertheless, beyond the updates caused by the respect of the new laws concerning the security in public spaces and a great confidence in concrete, there are still many theatres witness of this very interesting typology. This study just recognizes and analyses the peculiar elements of major and minor theatre structures, hypothesizing their improvement by a kind of rehabilitation that makes the historical building compatible with the present needs of comfort and security.