All of life seemed to circle around the stately cow in the foyer. Guests to She Stoops to Conquer at the Abbey this week passed the life-size yellow cow, many stooping to peer at the name of the artist, printed on a little plaque at hoof level.
Paul Rattigan, designer of My Cow Patley, stood near his creation, which he described as a homage to Michael Flatley. But would the Lord of the Dance creator bid for it when all the specially designed cows around the city, part of the Bailey's Cow Parade, are auctioned for charity in September?
Standing nearby was Sharon Murphy, co-ordinator of the Abbey centenary celebrations next year, and John Lynch, who is making a documentary about the theatre's first 100 years.
A night of fun was on the cards as the theatre filled: two Athlone women, Senator Mary O'Rourke and PR consultant Laurie Cearr, chatted to friends before the performance began; designer Richard Lewis and his business partner, Jim Greeley, took a break from working on next season's collections; Joe Brennan, of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Andrew McKimm and Geraldine FitzGerald, teachers at Blackrock College, were all eager to see the play and the set designed by Paul McCauley. Ann Fuller, of the AXA International Piano Competition, also came to enjoy Oliver Goldsmith's play, which he wrote in 1773. The production, directed by Patrick Mason, with a cast of 16, features Des Cave and Anita Reeves in the key roles.
Comedy writer Anne Gildea (who performs at the upcoming West Belfast Festival this Monday with Daire Ó Briain, her brother Kevin Gildea and Jeremy Hardy), went in to the auditorium with her friend, Sue Collins, wife of actor Phelim Drew, who was in the play. Collins will be performing a stand-up routine as Carmel, her new stage persona, at the Lisdoonvarna Festival in the RDS at the end of August.