A chara, - Since the demise of the old Theatre Royal, Dublin has not had a venue capable of holding large musical productions, such as are to be found in every other capital city in Europe. This is, of course, deliberately disregarding the accepted circuit of ill-suited venues - the Point Depot, the RDS, Croke Park and Lansdowne Road - not one of which was designed to function as a theatrical auditorium.
As a millennium year project, how about the foundation - using Millennium Commission funds - of a venue to host popular "big" musical state events. The benefits would be numerous.
For a start, the Irish public would have something on a par with what they can experience in other European cities. At present, many people travel to these destinations to see such shows. In addition, it would give really big stars - such as Streisand, Diana Ross, Pavarotti - a genuine incentive not to bypass Dublin (as they usually do) simply because of the prospect of having to perform on a rugby pitch.
In addition, selling Ireland as a holiday or conference location would be boosted.
Finally, the project would create and sustain many jobs (including a permanent company staff, such as we have in the Abbey), as well as providing a bigger pool of trained, talented practitioners who would improve all aspects of musical /theatre life in Dublin.
How about it? - Yours, etc., Adrian Weckler, Eugene Downes, Niall Kehoe,
Claremont Court, Glasnevin, Dublin 11.