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Renowned for her energy and can-do approach, former Andrews Lane Theatre director Pat Moylan is not daunted by taking over as chairwoman of the Arts Council at a time of recession and spending cuts. In fact, she prefers it that way, she tells FIONA McCANN

WHEN THE curtain fell on Andrews Lane Theatre nine months ago, it might have seemed like an opportunity for its charismatic owner to kick back. Pat Moylan had presided over the Dublin institution for 18 years, but cannily sold the city-centre space for a cool €9.25 million just before the property crash. The plan at the time was to concentrate on Lane Productions, the theatre production company she runs with partner Breda Cashe, and which boasts among its successes productions of I, Keano, Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorerand Alone It Stands. The next Lane production is the stage version of The Shawshank Redemption, a world premiere, opening at the Gaiety in May.