Gabriel Byrne chats about acting and the value of arts at Theatre Forum

Date Published: {J}

The Irish Theatre Forum, the organisation that represents people who work in theatre and performing arts in Ireland, is holding its annual conference in Galway this week.

Over 300 delegates from across the theatre, dance and opera world attend the annual conference at NUIG – the first time the gathering has ever been held in Galway.

It marks the final event for the Forum’s chairman Fergal McGrath – formerly of Druid Theatre and the Galway Arts Festival – who is stepping down after three years in the post.

During that time, the Forum helped establish the National Campaign for the Arts, which saw the organisation develop into a serious lobbying group as it fought the McCarthy Report (Bord Snip) recommendations for arts funding to be drastically cut. Such cuts would have led to the abolition of the Film Board, Culture Ireland and even cabinet representation for the arts, according to Fergal McGrath.

So the organisation has to celebrate at its Galway gathering but there’s no room for complacency with several severe budgets on the way.

Among those taking part in the Theatre Forum conference, which is entitled On with the Show is Ireland’s cultural ambassador Gabriel Byrne, who will be in conversation with the Director of Dublin Fringe Festival, Róise Goan this Friday, June 10.

On With the Show will explore the role of the artist in society, theatre and sustainability and Ireland and the world. Speakers from Spain, USA, the UK and Ireland will debate issues including Theatre and Climate Change, The New Relationship between Theatre and the Media and Cultural Tourism.

One of Broadway’s most prolific and entrepreneurial producers, Ken Davenport, will address the conference, equality expert Niall Crowley will provoke delegates with his challenge that the Celtic Tiger has damaged Ireland’s creative persona, and Dr John Knell will consider how the theatre community should revalue the arts.

There will also be many practical sessions, including guides to the artistic, business and technological issues in digital theatre, international co-producing and how to manage a career in theatre. Other sessions will include lightning talks from members of the Irish theatre community on burning issues.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.