All ship-shape at awards as 'Titanic' is recalled

In February 1998, when the theatre awards were first staged, the big hit in cinemas was Titanic, recalled Gerry Smyth of The Irish Times.

"Given the history of Irish theatre awards, this was a slightly ominous coincidence. But we haven't hit an iceberg - yet. At the risk of tempting fate, I would say that this event is now almost as unsinkable as another February awards ceremony - that thing they have in Hollywood."

At that first presentation he had said that a newspaper setting up theatre awards was a bit like the lion lying down with the lamb.

"I based the comparison on what I referred to as the sometimes fraught relationship between our two professions, and I guess the same fraught relationship was the basis for some soothsayers predicting to me that these awards might not survive beyond a honeymoon period. Au contraire! As Beckett might have said."

That the awards had been sustained, even institutionalised, was due to a wide range of people working hard to make it "an event of real celebration".

He thanked colleagues at the newspaper for their support, and "our former partners in the ESB, especially Barney Whelan", for their role in setting up the awards.

He thanked the judges, "three valiant individuals for their dedication and remarkable stamina", as well as Natasha Keogh, Maeve O'Meara and Katie Moloney at the newspaper, "without whose organisational accomplishment and conjuring abilities this might be a far less successful event".

Above all, he wanted to "thank all of you out there on the front line - actors, writers, directors, designers, company and theatre managers - who have provided the imagination and vitality that are central to Irish theatre in 2007. We are here to salute you."

The hostess for the night, actress Pauline McGlynn, left no target unscathed. Included was the Abbey theatre, which "now offers such gems as a pre-show chat with Shirley Temple Bar before Mr Sheridan's celebrated comedy The School For Scandal - a pillar of world drama".

There was RTÉ, which "intends to curb language on television - I mean, for f- - ks sake!"

And actor Ralph Fiennes, who had "moved on to a higher plane" since he performed in Faith Healer at the Gate.