Some would say Ireland's real capital was out in force this week, when a new Cork-based initiative to source fresh writing talent was launched by playwright Frank McGuinness at a bursting Market Bar in Fade Street, Dublin.
New Voices, an innovation of Cork's Everyman Palace Theatre, in collaboration with Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture, aims to provide - in the words of the theatre's artistic director, Pat Talbot - "a window of opportunity to new writers".
McGuinness spoke of his delight at the venture to encourage new writers. "Here is an energy, an imagination and a real commitment to welcome new writing talent." The theatre hopes to discover plays by emerging writers which it can develop and present for rehearsed public readings and potentially full-scale productions.
Oonagh Kearney, along with Thomas Conway and Tom Creed, directors of the Everyman Palace studio, explained exactly what the venture entailed. "The first strand of the venture is the 05 Commission. We are aiming to commission a full-scale production of a new play for the theatre's main stage in late 2005. We are looking for original and refreshing ideas and approaches to theatre," said Kearney.
"We are also inviting an open submission for plays from which three will be chosen. We want to set up contacts with writers, have private and public readings of their work and ultimately performances," she added.
The upper part of the Market Bar was packed with supporters of the initiative including playwright Raymond Scannell, and former RTÉ news2day presenter Cathal Murray.
- Sarah Dobson