A distinguished crowd of politicians, thespians and playwrights gathered in the Gaiety Theatre for the first night of Martin McDonagh's The Cripple Of Inishmaan.
A strong Riverdance contingent including Moya Doherty, producer Julian Erskine, PR supremo Gerry Lundberg and dancer-turned-actress Jean Butler. It was Ms Butler's second time to see the play and she declared it "one of the most moving pieces of theatre" she had seen. Cillian Fennell, the producer of the Late Late Show, hails from the area in which the play is set. He raved about the play, as did Cliona Ni Bhuachalla, despite her feeling that some of the Irishisms were less than convincing.
Aislinn O'Sullivan, who portrayed the truly strange Slippy Helen, said that after a year playing the part, tonight's final performance would be especially difficult. Her next project is a part in Frank McGuinness's new play, Mutabilitie.
Enjoying the hospitality of the British ambassador, Veronica Sutherland, who had laid on drinks and nibbles for a select few were Mary Banotti, Fergus Finlay, Nora Owen, Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins. Director of the Gaiety John Costigan was there with his wife, Maria McDermott-Roe, who chatted with Frank McGuinness about her role in the forthcoming film, The Boxer.