Overview: Just a few weeks ago this was an iceberg under the surface. Abbey chairwoman Eithne Healy certainly seemed unaware of the storm about to hit as she spoke at the Stewart Parker awards in the Abbey on April 26th.
She spoke of the very difficult year in 2004, but said a process for desperately needed change had started.
On May 2nd, Fiach MacConghail took over his new position as director-designate. The following day the finance committee, a subgroup of the board set up in early 2004, met management.
It became evident from the draft annual accounts for 2004 that there was an additional loss for 2004. The loss would be twice the projected deficit of €.9 million for the year.
An urgent report on this was drawn up for a scheduled meeting of the finance subgroup the following Tuesday, and it was reported to the board.
At a scheduled board meeting on Tuesday last managing director Brian Jackson offered his resignation, which was accepted.
Then Ben Barnes offered to "step aside", allowing MacConghail to take over as director, with executive responsibility. Jackson's resignation was described as "graceful" and "honourable" by one person close to proceedings.
It is unclear what the difference between "resigning" and "stepping aside" is.
The news broke on Thursday night, and the chairwoman made a statement. On Friday morning the entire staff was addressed by four people, who described what had happened: Healy, Jackson, Barnes and MacConghail.
The reaction was one of shock and concern. Anger, too. Ironically, yesterday was Peacock director Ali Curran's last day, and colleagues gathered with her in the late afternoon to wish her well and reflect on the current crisis. She is leaving the theatre to take up a position as chief executive of Tron theatre company in Glasgow.
The "change process" which is going on at the Abbey to reform its antiquated and cumbersome systems is well in hand, under change manager Anne Bonner, who led the Arts Council report on the Abbey.
A large portion of the €2 million from the department via the Arts Council at the end of last year has been earmarked for the change process. One million went towards a "stabilisation grant" to reduce the debt at the theatre. But the change doesn't seem to have happened fast enough.
In a statement Arts Council chairwoman Olive Braiden said it was "deeply concerned".
The Abbey suffers from its labyrinthine structure of a board, advisory council and shareholders and arcane work practices.
A key difficulty is that up to now the artistic direction and the executive management have been two separate functions. The fast-tracking of Fiach MacConghail into full directorship serves to unite the two areas of responsibility.
