It's bitterly cold for an opening night, but theatre lovers don coats and fur to arrive in time for The Sunshine Boys at the Gaiety. Terri McNulty from Denver, now living in Dublin, is here with her partner John Godridge. Mary Harrington and Patricia O'Keeffe, from Kingswood Heights in Dublin 24, are here because they love being at the theatre.
Niall Toibin, wearing a fine impresario-style coat - complete with mighty fur collar - is here with his wife, Judy Toibin. His next gig is at the Irish Arts Centre in New York, opening on the Wednesday, March 7th for three weeks. "American papers please copy," he adds. His friend, Boston-based sports journalist, George Kimball, and his daughter, Darcy Kimball (17), have also come along to see the play, which runs until tonight.
Watch out for singer Mary Coughlan's new album, The Long Honeymoon, which is due out in May. The album's cover features a black and white photograph of her parents, Peggy and Peter Doherty, on their wedding day in 1954.
Also watch out for the Gaiety Theatre itself which will possibly be getting a revamp if Government funding comes through. John Costigan, director of the theatre, is keeping his fingers crossed - new seats, new backstage area, new everything. "We've been told that we've made the first round in the Access fund," he explains. A decision with regard to this is expected before the end of March, he confides.