In its early days, the management of the theatre, and censorship of its performances, was entrusted to a senior knight, known as the "Protettore." The first recorded impresario was Melchiorre Prevvost Lanarelli in 1736, and the last Giovanni Le Brun in 1866. From 1768 to 1770 the impresario was a woman, Natala Farrugia. In setting up the theatre, Grand Master de Vilhena set the rent to be paid by the impresario at 320 "scudi" per annum, of which 80 accrued for rent from Easter to August, 120 for autumn, and another 120 "scudi" from Christmas to Carnival. When dances or "veglioni" (masked ball) were held in the theatre, the pit was raised by a scaffolding to the level of the stage. On 22 August 1778 regulations were passed for the lighting of the theatre and corridors on such occasions, with the shading of lights, in any manner, being prohibited. In 1778, to avoid scandal, theatre companies were prohibited from sleeping in the boxes of the theatre. This was a practice which was common during that time. A few years later, in 1783, the "Teatro Pubblico" underwent considerable modification and decoration, based on a design by the Roman architect, Natale Marini. A model was displayed before the inquisitor and many knights, and the model was so admired that the Commissioners of the Foundation of the Theatre decided to add a further two "louis," as a bonus to Marini’s invoice of 49 "scudi."