National Gallery celebrates Abbey Theatre with portrait exhibition.
(19 October 2004 - 16 January 2005)

Press Release, September 2004

In 1899, Lady Augusta Gregory, William Butler Yeats and others established the Irish Literary Theatre which became known as the Abbey Theatre in 1904. When it opened that year, the walls of its foyer were hung with portraits by John Butler Yeats. Since that time the collection has grown into an important body of work representing over sixty portraits by several renowned artists. These depict members of the company; actors, writers, those involved in production as well as patrons. At the same time, the National Gallery of Ireland, this year celebrating its 150th birthday, has also built up a collection of Abbey portraits as part of the National Portrait Collection.

To mark the prestigious history of the Abbey and those associated with it, the National Gallery of Ireland will mount a small exhibition bringing together a choice selection of portraits and busts from the two collections. It will show portraits by John B. Yeats, William Orpen, Sarah Purser, Albert Power, Norah McGuinness, Hilda Roberts, Basil Shawcross, Tom Ryan and Carey Clarke.

The exhibition, 'Celebrating the Abbey Theatre in Portraiture' will be on display in the Milltown Wing from 19 October 2004 until 16 January 2005. Admission is free. A series of talks in association with the Abbey Theatre will take place during November (see attached programme).

For further information, contact: Valerie Keogh / Bill Maxwell
Press & Communications Office
National Gallery of Ireland
Telephone (01) 661 5133
Email press@ngi.ie

'Celebrating the Abbey Theatre in Portraiture'

Exhibition Talks
A series of celebratory talks in association with the Abbey Theatre will take place during November on WB Yeats, JM Synge and Lady Gregory. Speakers include Professor Declan Kiberd, Dr Anne Fogarty, Dr Christopher Morash, Christopher Fitz-Simon, Ben Barnes and Patrick Mason. See attached programme.

Exhibition Lecture Series
All talks take place in the Gallery Lecture Theatre. Admission free.

Sunday 7 November
3.00pm Imagery from the Abbey Theatre
Lecturer Dr Christopher Fitz-Simon, author

Tuesday 9 November
10.30am Theatre as a National Institution
Lecturer Dr Christopher Morash, National University, Maynooth

Sunday 14 November
3.00pm The Catalyst for the Cultural Revival
Lecturer Dr PJ Matthews, University College Dublin

Tuesday 16 November
10.30am 'A Woman's Powerful Character': Revisiting Lady Gregory
Lecturer Dr Anne Fogarty, University College Dublin

Sunday 21 November
3.00pm Synge and his Vision of the West
Lecturer Professor Declan Kiberd, University College Dublin

Tuesday 23 November
10.30am William Butler Yeats
Lecturer Patrick Mason, Theatre & Opera Director