Abbey Theatre to shed 30 jobs

ABBEY Theatre management confirmed yesterday that about 30 of its 89 staff are to have their jobs cut by December 2005.

Managing director Brian Jackson yesterday outlined the plans to staff and said the restructuring programme was taking place to ensure the financial stability, flexibility and efficiency of the theatre in a bid to strengthen its ability to deliver on its core artistic mission.

Last year the Theatre showed a deficit of €800,000.

Mr Jackson said the restructuring programme would focus on the operating and performance model of the theatre as well as reorganising the internal structure of the business.

“The aim is to achieve a leaner, more flexible staffing model with a reduction of about 30 in core staff from the current total of 89. This would be secured by reducing the contract staff and by a voluntary leaving programme for permanent staff,” said Mr Jackson.

In addition, he said the programme would concentrate efforts on maximising additional revenue from box office and through patronage and sponsorship.

Mr Jackson said the board and executive of the theatre believe the restructuring plan had a key part to play in equipping the Abbey to meet the challenges of a national theatre in the 21st century.

The Government is expected to announce later this year whether the theatre will be moved from its current site at Abbey street.

Meanwhile, SIPTU union branch secretary Jimmy Jordan said last night they were aware the Abbey was experiencing difficulties but the scale of the job losses proposed came as a shock. He said a meeting with the managing director would take place today and the union would report to its members on Monday.