Staff at the Abbey Theatre have been summoned to an emergency meeting with management this morning amid growing concern over a funding shortfall at the national theatre, writes Joe Humphreys.
Abbey managing director Mr Brian Jackson yesterday declined to comment on today's meeting. But it is understood he will announce redundancies to avert a financial crisis which has already contributed to the postponement of two shows in the theatre's programme for its centenary year.
The Abbey employs more than 100 people, many of whom work on a fixed-contract basis. Sources close to the theatre say the literary department is likely to face the brunt of cutbacks with some of its functions transferring to the artistic director, Mr Ben Barnes.
Outreach and education services, and production teams at the Abbey and its sister theatre, the Peacock, are also expected to be slimmed down.
Mr Barnes, who is in Australia touring with the Abbey's production of The Gigli Concert, was unavailable for comment yesterday.
He recently confirmed, however, that the theatre had fallen short of meeting a funding target for its ambitious centenary programme abbeyonehundred.
Abbey sources say the shortfall exceeds €500,000, and that the cutbacks will be across the board. The theatre has been eager to downplay rumours of a financial crisis in recent months.
However, it was forced to admit a major problem last June when it postponed two shows - Paul Mercier's Smokescreen and Drama at Inish by Lennox Robinson, to be directed by Jim Nolan - halfway through its centenary programme.
Mr Barnes then blamed the postponement on both logistical and financial difficulties.
The restructuring plan comes ahead of a promised Government announcement this year on whether the Abbey will be moved from its current site at Abbey Street, Dublin.
The former Carlton cinema site in O'Connell Street has been mooted as a possible alternative location. But its development has been delayed by legal wrangling over a compulsory purchase order by Dublin City Council.
The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, told the Dáil last July that the Government was awaiting the outcome of a High Court challenge to the order before making a final decision on the Abbey.
He said he was "determined" the decision would be made before the end of the year.