The Abbey

I am currently sitting in the literary office of Ireland's National Theatre, The Abbey, which lies at the heart of Dublin's cultural scene...and it's not nearly as intimidating as it might sound. I have spent the morning talking to Jessica Traynore and Christine Madden who have enlightened me as to what goes on at The Abbey in terms of new writing. There is obviously a devotion and passion here for new works as a lot of the pieces being produced this season are freshly written pieces from established playwrights. There is a great tradition here for nurturing home grown talent, as well as a movement towards international works and new writing, which became one of the major topics of conversation. The theatre is currently under quite a large change, both Christine and Jessica are relatively new to the literary office here, although certainly well experienced in their given fields - Christine has come from the literary department of Rough Magic theatre company and Jessica has completed her MA in Creative Writing in Dublin. Also, as I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, the Abbey is changing site. On top of this and countless other challenges, they are trying to start up a young writers course for new writing. However, as they resolutely stated, the literary department is interested in nurturing new writers more than new writing. This is a reassuring and refreshing thing to hear, as well as their interest here in looking at the different processes that writers can adopt i.e. not just traditional forms of structure but also origins of ideas through imagery, or the space itself...indeed working with other practitioners in the theatre; actors, directors, designers etc.

It is very exciting time for theatre in Dublin, at The Abbey and indeed with all the people and places I've visited and and been privileged enough to talk and engage with. I have repeatedly talked about how much the city (in fact the whole country) has changed in the past ten years, money being the lynchpin and of which there is more of now. It is essential that at least some of these newly created resources are used for the development of the new voices that are starting to holler from all corners of this marvellous country. I'm really chuffed to see it happening, especially at this most well established and respected theatre. It is important as a writer (and it is something that was echoed during this morning's chat) that one is not intimidated by these towering, theatrical establishments. Having worked at the Royal Court, I believe the same sentiments are mirrored there. The priority of these establishments is to nurture, develop and produce theatre. And in terms of new writing, the last thing they want is to intimidate and/or shrink writers. There is everything in place to help writers overcome their fears of exposing themselves, and I often think it is then down to the writer...are you going to let that fear grow so that it overshadows your creativity, or are you going to remember why started writing in the first place. If you remain true to yourself, you'll create the best work you can.

I think it's going to be very difficult to get on that plane back to England come Friday...