Madam, - Minister for Arts and Culture John O'Donoghue and the Department of Arts have raised again the question of moving the Abbey Theatre to docklands or to the sites of Hawkins House or the former Carlton Cinema on O'Connell Street.
Moving the Abbey would be a mistake for at least four reasons. First, history requires that the theatre should remain on its foundations. The Abbey was the first repertory theatre in the English-speaking world and still remains a most famous theatre brand name in the United States. The Abbey should not be taken from the street whose name it bears and where theatrical events of world importance have taken place since its illustrious founders opened it in 1904.
Secondly, the principle of sustainability requires that, where possible, old buildings should be appropriately adapted for contemporary needs and functions.
Third, balanced development is best served by such a major cultural institution remaining in that relatively forgotten part of town rather than moving to O'Connell Street or any cappuccino district.
Fourth, after débâcles involving the OPW in the once-mooted Coláiste Mhuire site and elsewhere it appears the Government is not well placed to get value for money and should keep its interventions in the property market to a minimum.
Following an architectural competition the existing Abbey should be stripped, gutted, refitted and extended as a showcase modern architectural set-piece. Two adjoining early 19th-century buildings on Lower Abbey Street could be demolished to facilitate extension or efforts made to extend in the direction of the river. Indeed unfortunately, as recently as February 2004 the board of the Abbey was notified that a large church at the back of the theatre was on the market. Neither the board of the Abbey nor the Office of Public Works made any serious effort to take this opportunity and the considerable space available was instead purchased by the VHI.
The desire to move seems to be rooted in nothing more than a lack of awareness of the possibilities of the existing site. - Yours, etc.,
TOMÁS MacANNA (former artistic director of the Abbey Theatre and former member of the board);
MICHAEL SMITH (former chairman of An Taisce);
ULICK O'CONNOR (writer, playwright, former member of the board of directors, Abbey Theatre);
PHYLLIS RYAN (former member of the Abbey Company, actress and director of Gemini Productions);
JIMMY MURPHY (Abbey playwright);
PAT LAFFAN (former member of the Abbey Company, director and teacher).