Barbareschi new Eliseo theatre manager

(ANSA) - Rome, November 20 - Italian actor, director and producer Luca Barbareschi said Thursday he has taken over Rome's hallowed Eliseo Theatre following the eviction of the previous management.
    "I am the new proprietor and artistic manager of the Eliseo Theatre," Barbareschi said, speaking at the private theatre located on Rome's central Via Nazionale. "We have changed the locks and chased away a non-paying management".
    Carlo Eleuteri, one of the theater's three owners, said that "two thirds of the owners of the Eliseo have subscribed to an agreement with Barbareschi, who will manage the Eliseo".
    The fate of the private theatre has been hanging in the balance since July when its owners announced their intention of evicting the management over credit arrears. The eviction was originally set for July 10 but was postponed several times while city and state officials, the management and the owners tried to find a solution.
    Senate culture committee chair Andrea Marcucci and Lower House culture committee deputy chair Flavia Piccoli Nardelli urged city authorities to step in to ensure that the theatre could stay open this season.
    Barbareschi said he plans to invest four million euros in the ailing theatre and that he hopes it will reopen within 24-48 hours.
    "I am saving this theatre," he said, "I will do my best".
    Barbareschi said he will try to keep the theatre's 60 staff on the books.