THE ARTISTIC director of a famous Victorian theatre will vacate his role this year after a decade at the helm.
Pat Talbot is widely credited with opening the Everyman Palace in Cork to a diverse range of quality and community performances, elevating the venue to become one of Ireland’s most valued theatres.
Talbot, who assumed the role of artistic director in October 2001, plans to concentrate on his new production company Green Light Management, together with Jim Myers, after he steps aside in October.
“It has been a great privilege to guide the Everyman Palace Theatre through the last decade. With a strong emphasis on quality drama and a diverse mix of other types of shows, it has been very satisfying to see such a huge increase in audience numbers over the years,” he said.
In between rehearsals yesterday he thanked chairman Michael White and the board of the theatre, staff and volunteers for their support and dedication.
“I would also like to acknowledge the integral contribution made by the Arts Council and Cork City Council,” said Talbot.
His vision and enterprise earned him a string of worthy coups at the Everyman, most notably the European stage debut of Ed Harris in the world premier of Neil LaBute's Wrecksin 2005. Audiences packed the 650 seat theatre to catch a glimpse of Harris in the one-man show that revealed the story of a man's love for his dead wife.
The show was the end of Talbot’s busiest year at the theatre and Harris’s arrival marked a fitting finale to Cork’s year as European Capital of Culture.
The arrival of Edward Fox as Anthony Trollope at the theatre this week will also serve as one of Talbot’s big achievements.
Diverse productions by Druid, Gate Theatre, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, Abbey Theatre, Sir Tom Courtenay, The Godot Company, Chinese State Circus and the Royal Shakespeare Company have all been staged at the theatre during his 10-year reign.
Mr White said Talbot had given tremendous service to the Everyman.
“His creative vision and managerial skills have elevated the organisation to one of the foremost venues in Ireland.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Pat as a colleague and friend, I would like to thank him for his time with the Everyman Palace and wish him the best of luck with his new projects,” he added.