On The Town:A bigger, better and fatter edition of The Irish Theatre Handbookwas unveiled at the Project Theatre in Dublin this week. "This book matters, not only as a guidebook for ourselves but because . . . it's a testament to our work," said director, writer and actor Alan Stanford, who launched the fourth edition of the handbook.
"There is no better record of what we have achieved."
"The Irish theatre has grown phenomenally . . . we are members of a vast industry," he added, looking back on the days when "several people started, like me, on a wing and a prayer". But "a change began when practitioners started to take control of their own destiny".
At the start of his speech, Stanford paid tribute to the late Joan O'Hara, who died during the week. "She represented to me, and to many of us, everything that Irish acting represents," he said. "She was the maddest and most magical actor, who only dealt with the truth."
Among those who attended the book launch was Loughlin Deegan, director of the Dublin Theatre Festival and editor of the handbook's first edition. Others included actor and playwright Donal O'Kelly, whose next production is Running Beast, part of the Flight of the Earls anniversary celebrations, with music composed by Michael Holohan, and Anna Legge, artist director of the Glens Centre in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim.
The book has grown since it was first published in 1998, with 122 theatre, 26 dance and seven opera companies listed as well as 36 festivals and 102 venues.
"There's been an overall expansion over nine years throughout the whole island," said the handbook's editor, Liz Powell.
Also at the launch were Liam Halliganof Storytellers Theatre Company, Aisling Sullivanof Opera Ireland, and Pauline Cadell, representing the Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild.
• The fourth edition of The Irish Theatre Handbookis published by the Irish Theatre Institute. It complements the Irish Theatre Institute's online resource, www.irishtheatreonline.com Above: Liz Powell, editor of The Irish Theatre Handbook , with actor/director Alan Stanford at the handbook's launch in the Project Arts Centre, Dublin.