The challenges of designing a new theatre to replace the one destroyed by fire.
The new Abbey Theatre opened on 18 July 1966 in the same location as the original building, which had been destroyed by fire in 1951. The expensive and lengthy process of replacing it involved fitting one theatre on top of another on a small site while complying with stringent health and safety regulations. The new auditorium for the main Abbey stage sat 628 people, which was about 100 more than the old one, while the smaller Peacock stage was also larger than it had been.
The building was designed by architecture firm Michael Scott and Partners with French theatre designer Pierre Sonrel as consultant architect. Patrick Gallagher talks to Scott about a number of design issues in this 'Late Extra' interview, from the brick walls to the lack of single dressing rooms. But there is a reason for everything, from the need for a silent, dark auditorium to the Abbey's 'no stars' policy.
| Title: | Abbey Theatre |
| Clip Duration: | 00:04:14 |
| Material Type: | Video |
| Clip Title: | Architect Michael Scott Defends New Abbey Building |
| Series Title: | Late Extra |
| Information: | 'Late Extra' was a short current affairs programme that focused on the events of the day. It went out on week-nights. |
| Local Keywords: | Abbey Theatre, Drama, Literature, Plays, Architecture, Building, Michael Scott, Patrick Gallagher, Late Extra |
| Coverage: | Ireland |
| Genre: | Factual |
| Topic: | Arts and Culture |
| Provider: | RTÉ |
| Contributor(s): | Patrick Gallagher (Presenter) |
| Publisher: | RTÉ |
| First Broadcast Channel: | RTÉ |
| Production Year: | 1966 |
| Country of Production: | Ireland |
| Original Identifier: | DX91/02796 |
| IPR Restrictions: | Rights Reserved - Free Access |
| Rights, Terms and Conditions: | Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Archives.
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| Item Type: | part/extract |
| Colour: | Black and White |
| Sound: | Mono |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3 |
| Language: | English (eng) |
