The Abbey Theatre is to celebrate its centenary in 2004. This date, according to British theatre consultants who carried out a study into its future, provides a rare opportunity and a spur for action.
The consultants, Carr & Aungier, acknowledged that proposals to move the National Theatre were "bound to cause unease" and in an ideal world the present site at Abbey Street, Dublin, would be expanded.
However, getting to the heart of the matter, they pointed out that "the danger of such a dream" was that it might cause delay or become a reason for doing nothing. "The new site and the centenary opportunity would then be lost."
The board of the Abbey, it is clear by its announcement on Wednesday, is anxious to get moving, literally and figuratively, wishing to relocate to the site which has been offered free of cost by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority at Grand Canal Docks.
While the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, claimed yesterday in the Dail that he knew it was not any of his business, his statement of the previous evening expressing his deep disappointment in the board's announcement makes it clear that he believes it is.
He pointed out in his statement that there was an ambitious £200 million plan to transform the city centre from O'Connell Street to Sheriff Street and it was intended that State agencies and arts organisations would be attracted to the area. It would be one of the most significant urban regeneration projects ever. The Abbey, he said, had historic ties with the area, and he had understood those historic ties meant a lot to the Abbey and it was intent on preserving them. "I believe to take the Abbey out of the city centre at the very time of its rejuvenation would be a serious mistake."
The Abbey's artistic director, Mr Ben Barnes, refused to make any further comment yesterday.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) report examining the Grand Canal Docks site was received by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, earlier this week. In summary it said the theatre should remain in a city-centre location, provided enough space was made available for it there.
A previous OPW report on the Abbey Street site, carried out last year, acknowledged that the existing site was too small but said that it could be developed.
The OPW examined alternative locations at this time, including 44-46 O'Connell Street (the old Carlton Cinema), the Maguire & Patterson site, State land at Infirmary Road, the North Wall Quay, Smithfield and the Grand Canal area. It said the O'Connell Street site appeared to have a number of advantages, including adequate space, but pointed out it was 70 per cent in private ownership.
In all cases these relocations would cost substantial sums for site acquisitions and would take longer to develop than the existing National Theatre building, it said. The OPW concluded that "having regard to all the circumstances" the existing site should be redeveloped with the possible extension into Marlborough Street as a concourse area and the possible acquisition of adjacent property over time. At the time this accorded with the views of the Abbey board. That OPW August report said it would be satisfied that the project could be completed for an opening in 2005 "if decisions are taken at the end of this year (2000)".