Sir, - I write in support of James O'Connor (March 12th). Of course, the Carlton is the ideal space for our National Theatre. However, I don't think we would have to build in Upper O'Connell Street, as the Carlton might just need major restoration and in the capable hands of the OPW anything is possible.
The Carlton was designed in 1935 by the architects Robinson & Keeffe of Merrion Square. The stalls seated 1,788 and the gallery 875 - a total of 2,663. It had a magnificent orchestra pit and organ lift. We all know it was butchered in recent years into several small cinemas and closed in late 1994.
The very idea of closing the Abbey, demolishing and rebuilding on such a tiny site while an Art Deco building of such proportions is sitting empty on our "first boulevard street" seems ludicrous to me. To move the Abbey company out, purchase adjoining properties, demolish, and rebuild would surely cost more than redeveloping the Carlton.
Already I have dozens of signatures of people who would prefer this alternative to what the Government is suggesting and I am sure my list will run to thousands - at which time I shall present it to the Minister. We are taxpayers, it is our National Theatre, and we should have a say. - Yours, etc.,
URSULA HOUGH-GORMLEY,
Ormond Road,
Dublin 6.