Bernard Loughlin of Annaghmakerrig jokes that the late Tyrone Guthrie will either be turning in his grave or enjoying the whole idea immensely, as a giant picnic kicks off at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre this afternoon. The Footsbarn Theatre Company has pitched its massive circus tent on the front lawn and will present versions of Don Juan and The Winter's Tale this weekend and next. The tent is plonked down on the lawn where Tyrone planted over 1,000 daffodils with the first money he made in the theatre - quel horreur.
However, the flowers are not in bloom now, and Bernard balances the act of possible flower vandalism against the fact that Tyrone and his wife Judith loved to picnic themselves, choosing to live on a covered punt on the Avon when he was performing in Stratford and holding legendary al fresco meals there.
Today's picnic guests are a mixture of friends of the centre, ex-residents and local businesses. Playwright Tom Murphy and actor Jane Brennan are two of the few artists allowed to remain in residence for the weekend - most of the rooms will be free for people to have a poke round and look at the art. Other people heading up for the picnic include novelist Colm Toibin; Marie Donnelly of the Irish Hospice Foundation; politicians Liz McManus and local TD Caoimhghin O Caolain, and artists John Kindness, Beth O'Halloran and Barbara Freeman, whose work is currently included in an exhibition at the centre.