Sir, – I saw with delight, and then dismay, the Abbey’s 2016 brochure. Nine men. One woman. No change. I listened with disbelief to the radio advert promoting their pioneering performances of O’Casey for next year. So was the theatre’s hosting of a wake-up call by feminists on November 12th just a farce? The four plays for the Abbey stage, the brochure says, run from March to September, with other productions in the Peacock. So maybe January to March and October to December 2016 will really be devoted to the work of women on the main stage? A fitting balance for the Rising – and not the sclerotic and patronising declaration it seems to be. – Yours, etc,
LELIA DOOLAN,
Kilcolgan, Co Galway.