Key plans to be implemented 'without delay'

The Abbey Theatre Working Group Report was welcomed last night by various interested parties.

The chairman of the Abbey Theatre board, Ms Eithne Healy, said the board and its executive welcomed the report and accepted its recommendations.

It was planned to implement key recommendations "without delay", she added.

"The Abbey needs to demonstrate that it can manage itself effectively. This will enable us to make the best case for support in resolving the structural financial problems we face."

Ms Healy said it was planned to advertise for a new artistic director at the Abbey in the very near future, with an appointment likely to be made early in the new year. She also said a decision on the site for a new Abbey Theatre building was likely to be made before the end of this year.

The Abbey's current artistic director, Ben Barnes, whose term finishes at the end of 2005, welcomed the decision to advertise for his successor sooner rather than later.

He felt it would be "very unfair" for an incoming artistic director to be presented with a fait accompli, where artistic policy at the theatre was concerned, and that it was better he/she be involved in the consultative process on that policy before taking over the job.

He recalled that he himself was allowed such a period before taking over from his predecessor, Patrick Mason.

Mr Brian Jackson, chief executive at the Abbey, said it would be necessary to reduce core annual funding at the theatre from €750,000 to €400,000. Approximately 14 people had been hired on short-term contracts for the abbeyonehundred programme this year, and it was not planned to renew those, he said.

"Voluntary leaving" might be sought, while "issues of efficiency and working practices" would be discussed.

Mr Des Geraghty, chairman of the working group, spoke of increasing revenue at the theatre through marketing, sponsorship and its artistic policy, all of which would have a bearing on staff levels, he said. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining independence and artistic integrity at the theatre.

Ms June Boushell, who represented staff at the theatre on the working group, said it was planned to call a meeting of the staff in the near future to discuss the report.

A spokesman for the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, said it was being studied at the Department. He commended the commitment, energy and resolve of the working group on preparing it in such a short time.

He said the Minister had met the Arts Council last week and was aware of "the ongoing debate as regards the Abbey".

Yesterday's report was part of a process which would also involve external experts reporting on the Abbey to the Arts Council next month, he said.