THE Council states that the appropriate body to "evaluate and I assess" the performance of the National Theatre Society (that's the Abbey to me and you) is itself, and you can fill the blanks yourself with the words "rather than the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht". The Abbey has stated its desire to have the latter funding source, which would probably make the stream of cash more stable, rather than having to fight for money with the rest of the theatre sector. However, the Council will make this evaluation "within the framework of new guidelines agreed with the Society and the Department of Arts Culture and the Gaeltacht". That framework has yet to be agreed, but according to Dorothea Melvin of the Abbey: "There's been progress made and it's fairly substantial progress."

The chapter also states that it supports the "general thrust and philosophy" of the policy statements which the Abbey has submitted with its recent grant submission.

The same Abbey has just released a statement proclaiming a "busy and hugely successful" year with "a record amount of touring". Plans for next year include Wilde's The Importance Of Being Earnest, directed by Patrick Mason, Give Me Your Answer, Do, by Brian Friel, directed by the playwright, and a version of Patrick Kavanagh's Tarry Flynn written and directed by Conall Morrison.

At the Peacock, there will be new works from Gary Mitchell, Michael Harding and Jimmy Murphy. In the scripts department, a series of play readings with professional actors has been taking place and will continue.