Does this Govt. support the national theatre? While the Abbey gets cuts in funding from the Arts Council 25 jobs are to be axed if the director of the theatre gets his way. And what does the minister for the arts have to say? all spin spin spin.
Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism says, “I welcome this exciting announcement today from the Abbey Theatre. I am delighted that the National Theatre productions of the calibre of ‘Terminus’ and ‘Ages of the Moon’ will now be seen by audiences in more venues both in Ireland and internationally, – building Ireland’s international cultural profile in the cities of Melbourne and New York during its 2009/2010 season. Touring productions of the highest quality also brings enormous cultural tourism benefits. Additionally, these tours will provide opportunities for Irish actors, writers, directors and crew to raise their international profile and gain major performing opportunities in key cultural markets. I wish the Abbey Theatre every success with its tour of these two shows which I am sure will continue to build on the high international reputation of the Abbey, our National Theatre.”
I do not read that the Abbey is to scale back its productions, so if the 25 axed workers are not the skilled staff to work on future planned Abbey productions where are the skills to come from? the answer is most likely via outsourcing as the arts race to the bottom.
Cullen “these tours will provide opportunities for Irish actors, writers, directors and crew to raise their international profile” so they can put them on their CVs? Watching this developing story closely.