Group backs cut in Abbey theatre's workforce

An Abbey theatre working group has recommended that staffing levels there be reduced and that, with Mr Ben Barnes's term of office due to expire at the end of next year, the recruitment process for a new artistic director should begin immediately.

It has called on the Abbey board to "undertake an immediate review" of its management structures "to ensure clear lines of decision-making, authority, accountability, responsibility and communication."

It also recommended that a consultative forum, involving all interests at the theatre, be put in place without delay "to take forward the process of consultation and review", and said there was a need for "a broad, inclusive style of artistic decision-making and collaboration, centred on strong, open leadership and vision".

The 11-member Restructuring Working Group was set up on September 7th last at an emergency general meeting of the Abbey's board and its advisory council. The group's brief was to examine current artistic, financial, and corporate issues at the Abbey and report within four weeks. Chaired by Mr Des Geraghty, it included representatives of all interests at the theatre.

In the report, published yesterday, it made 20 recommendations. These included that, while "the threat should be removed of widespread job losses from the core staff," there should be "a reversion to normal (i.e., pre-abbeyonehundred) staffing levels, without prejudice to normal industrial relations and HR procedures." Currently 91 people work at the Abbey, an increase from the 2003 level of 77.

The report recommended the Act 2 draft artistic policy "should constitute one of a number of key resources for continued broad consultation and evaluation."

It observed that the document "contains many good ideas, but lacks the legitimacy of a fully debated and properly evaluated strategic plan."

It recommended that immediate support be sought from the Arts Council in addressing the current financial crisis. It recommended the theatre should seek "urgently" Arts Council funding "to continue to support its literary, outreach, educational, archive and training activities."

It opposed any plans to temporarily close the Peacock Theatre.

The Abbey needed "a major marketing and promotional plan to increase attendance." Similarly, sponsorship "should be vigorously pursued."