Open Air Theatre upgrade awaits CM's nod.

LAHORE -- The summary for upgrade of the Lawrence Garden's Open Air Theatre, an 81-year-old structure, having a great historical and cultural significance, with a budget of Rs300m is lying with Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for the final approval, the officials told Dawn.

The Open Air Theater, constructed in 1940 on the Greek theatre pattern, has been a centre of cultural activities since its inception. With the efforts of DG Sondhi, the then principal of Government College, Lahore, the theatre was constructed to stage plays and hold other cultural activities.

This theatre falls under the preview of the Punjab Council of Arts. In an effort to turn this historically significant venue into a place of art and recreation of international standards, the Punjab government would upgrade it with addition of new features. There would be a fully equipped recording studio for the emerging singers from all over Punjab, an auditorium, an art gallery, a cafe and an extended car parking. The studio would serve emerging singers and instrumentalists and the talent, which would be tapped through divisional arts councils would be asked to record their tracks at the studio.

Punjab Council of Arts Director Headquarters Abrar Alam told Dawn that to tailor out the whole project in an effective and conducive manner the CM formed a committee to look into the details and requirements of the project.

The committee is headed by Walled City of Lahore Authority Director General...