[Fiach Mac Conghail, artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin]
Further to reports of an independent study casting doubt on The Abbey Theatre’s ‘world class status’ [obtained under Freedom of Information]
[Mr Mac Chongail] said [On RTE R1’s Arena] the documents had been released before the process was completed as he had not sat down with the panel to discuss and respond to their views.“It’s like delivering a half diagnosis,” he said. He said he “fundamentally disagreed” with all their assessments of the productions.
He said he had explained to Fintan O’Toole of The Irish Times, who wrote the article, that the process was only half way through because the theatre had not given a response to the assessments. “But that wasn’t heeded,” he said. “The Irish Times published knowing full well that the process wasn’t completed, and they should have made that comment.”
Speaking later in the programme, O’Toole said he had asked Mr Mac Conghail to comment on the assessors’ reports, but he had declined. The Irish Times had also offered to publish a piece written by Mr Mac Conghail, an offer which still stood, O’Toole said, but this was also declined.
Needs more Sean O’Casey.
‘Cruel’ to publish negative reports, Abbey director says (RTE)
Panel Raises Doubt About Abbey Theatre’s World Class Status (Fintan O’Toole, irish Times)
(Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland)
