Madam, - In the course of his fascinating and forcefully argued piece comparing the current difficulties at our National Theatre with its chequered history (Arts, October 11th), Adrian Frazier summarises views I expressed in a recent newspaper article.
I certainly never intended to suggest that the Abbey should be less than a national theatre or that it should abandon its remarkable history of producing new work. Among other points about the nature of the current crisis, I suggested that, with the investigations being undertaken by both the Abbey and the Arts Council, the theatre ought vigorously to argue its case for increased funding and the Arts Council must convince itself and the general public that such a case is beyond reproach.
I also believe the Abbey's history and reputation should attract more private funding to allow it to expand its work with new plays.
Your recent poll illustrates the importance of the Abbey Theatre to Irish life, but no organisation should simply expect increased State funding without providing a detailed rationale and a long-range plan that can be understood by an interested public.
The Irish theatre has changed dramatically in the past 20 years and competition for public funding is intense. It is long past time for a thorough public debate about how that funding is distributed.
The current Abbey trouble is a good starting point and Mr Frazier's study provides a valuable context.
On a separate point, Mr Frazier is correct that, historically, the Guthrie Theater did not present new work on a regular basis. However, that is no longer the case. Rather than eliminating a literary department, we have expanded our relationship with contemporary writers and in the past five years we have commissioned over 50 plays - many from new playwrights.
The funding for these initiatives was largely raised in the private sector. - Yours, etc.,
JOE DOWLING, Artistic Director, The Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, USA.