Abbey takes centre stage with centenary celebrations

AFTER 12 months of high drama - as much off-stage as on - the Abbey Theatre lightened up yesterday with a day-long programme of events to celebrate its 100th birthday.

It has been a turbulent year for the national theatre - a budget deficit estimated at €2.5 million, a controversial restructuring plan put on hold, and divisions between artistic director Ben Barnes and the board - but yesterday, the focus was on having some fun.

The celebrations kicked off at the theatre, on Dublin’s Lower Abbey Street, around 12.30pm when a swing band kicked into action and street performers and stilt walkers entertained the public.

A short while later, theatre chairwoman Eithne Healy cut a giant birthday cake, ably assisted by Mr Barnes and John McColgan (chairman of “abbeyonehundred”, the sub-committee established to raise funds for the centenary year).

At 2.30pm, the celebrations took to the stage, and took a step back in time in the process, when the Drama League of Ireland, the representative body for amateur drama societies, groups and individuals, performed the first four plays staged at the Abbey.

First up was On Baile’s Strand by WB Yeats, performed by the Balally Players from Dublin.

Spreading the News by Lady Gregory, was performed by St Patrick’s Dramatic Society, from Dublin.

Kathleen Ní Houlihan, another Yeats play, was performed by the Ennis Players from Co Clare.

The fourth and final play was JM Synge’s In the Shadow of the Glen, performed by the Newpoint Players from Newry, Co Down.

A family storytelling session was held in the Abbey Rehearsal Room, featuring Irish folk tales and legends.

This was followed by The Sound of the Gong, a short history of the theatre directed by the legendary Tomás MacAnna.

Arts Minister John O’Donoghue recently announced he would provide an additional €2 million to the Abbey to help ease its budgetary problems.