Sir, - Before the current debate on the Abbey Theatre gets murky, it is important that the basic facts are laid before the public.
The Abbey Theatre is a company of actors, technicians and administrative staff. It is not a building, and the ethos of the organisation will continue within whatever building it inhabits. The present building is totally inadequate for both performers and audience, and the site offers no opportunity for improvement. What the company needs is a new state of the art building, following consultation with the practioners involved. The new site would offer all of this and more.
In taking this decision it will be possible for the company to continue performing in the present building, while their new building is taking shape. After the move, it will offer Dublin the much needed 400- to 500-seater theatre to house the various dance companies, smaller opera companies, etc. It will also give the many new theatre companies across the country a capital city showcase for their productions.
Mr Ahern's canard about the northside and his constituency is a typical piece of obfuscation, and as such needs to be stamped on very firmly. - Yours, etc.,
Desmond Graham, Donnycarney, Dublin 5.
