Dramatic silence broken

THE long silence by the Drama League of Ireland ended as last column was going to press. A press release arrived outlining a few well known facts. A communication to members on June 12th is more comprehensive. It suggests that members fears about the league losing money because of their legal action in May are groundless, due to a sum of £2,500 in respect of costs received as part of settlement terms. This leaves the League's expenses at a mere £525, for VAT. An interesting paragraph states:

"We are aware that certain inaccurate information has been circulated to some of our members and to the media over the past two and a half months. Because of the necessity for the NEC to maintain strict confidentiality during that period, it was not possible to enter into any dialogue with members who requested information. Now that the court case has been settled in our favour, we are taking this opportunity to inform you of the true position."

People of integrity who have given tremendous dedication to amateur theatre were simply seeking a list of members to fulfil the requirements for calling an EGM. The list was being refused.

How would its issue affect confidentially regarding legal action? In any event, the league's PRO spoke on RTE radio's Backstage. The list of members was refused, she said, because the information was being computerised. "What is wrong with a good old fashioned jotter and pencil," asked Maire Nic Gearailt. Indeed!

Again I stress that I have no quarrel with the movement's executive. Indeed, one with whom I crossed razors if not swords in the past had the graciousness to ring me recently bearing compliments on my coverage of Athlone All Ireland Festival. But the lengths to which the NEC appears to be going to avoid an EGM are quite remarkable in these times of transparency and dialogue and getting around tables to solve problems.

As part of the settlement too, Keystone Communications wrote saying that their brochure and advertising incorrectly referred to the "31st Gormanston Summer School," and making it clear that they had no connection with the Summer School run by the DLI, formerly at Gormanston.

Stop Press: The DLI has just published its list of group and individual members in its Newsletter. Former Arts Council Member Larry McCluskey (Drumlin Players) has written to ordinary members calling for an EGM in September.