DESPITE the harsh weather last weekend, the Monaghan meeting of the Arts Council's Theatre Review was well attended. But it is notable that it is now attracting venue managers and amateur and community activists rather than theatre practitioners as it rolls around the country. The theme was "Border Crossings", but there was less discussion of cross border and international touring than of the border between Dublin and the regions in touring policy.

There was a general emphasis, spurred by Larry McCluskey's introductory remarks, on the failure of successive Arts Councils to empower regional theatres and communities to choose their own tours. On a broader canvas, the Cultural Relations Committee (currently in suspended animation) came under fire for its perceived failure to effectively assist Irish theatre to travel. The next meeting takes place in the Backstage Theatre, Longford, on Saturday, and the official theme is "Touring and Local Theatre Structures".