Groundwork theatre group forced to go into liquidation

GROUNDWORK Productions, one of the country's most successful theatre companies in recent years, has gone into liquidation. Among its more notable achievements was the spirited revival of some of John B. Keane's plays.

In a statement last night, the company said that "due to extremely adverse trading conditions this past two years it "sadly, has had to cease trading".

This will mean the winding up of its constituent partners, William Parsons Ltd and Siboney Ltd. The company has been in existence since 1988, when it staged its first production, Exit Entrance, in Dublin. Since then it has been involved in 30 productions "in almost every theatre in Dublin and on tour both nationally and internationally, but most notably at the Gaiety theatre in Dublin".

It gave over 6,100 weeks' employment to actors, directors, designers and stage crew. Productions grossed over £8 million and were seen by over 750,000 people. "Virtually all of this work was achieved without subsidy of any kind", the statement says.

A meeting with its creditors will take place in early August, so "unfortunately, no further statement will be issued in advance (of that)".

The company's two directors are film producer Mr Arthur Lappin and theatre director Mr Ben Barnes, who was also its artistic director.

Groundwork enjoyed particular success with the plays of John B. Keane, which coincided with its tenure at the Gaiety, beginning with The Year of the Hiker in 1990. There followed Moll in 1991, The Chastitute and The Man from Clare in 1993, Sive in 1994, which was produced at the Abbey and moved to the Gaiety, and The Field, earlier this year at the Abbey.

Other productions included Equus in 1992, I Do Not Like Thee Doctor Fell and Guys and Dolls in 1995. Associate/co productions it was involved with included The Risen People in 1994, and various pantomimes.

Its tenure at the Gaiety ended earlier this year when the theatre was taken over by Break for the Border plc.

Groundwork's difficulties are believed to be related to disappointing attendances at Guys and Dolls last year, and its recent production of The Field.