`The biggest event in the theatrical calendar," is how playwright Declan Hughes classifies the premiere of Tom Murphy's The House in the Abbey on Wednesday night. Joe Duffy will not entirely go along with that, but says Murphy does know how to put his finger on the pulse of the nation - just like Liveline!
There is an air of first-night nerves and even Murphy admits to feeling flighty. He puts it down to old age or maybe the fact that it is such a big play.
Actress Catherine Byrne knows all about opening-night jitters. "It's awful, there's so much expectation. And it's such a false thing," she says, adding that her husband John Olohan, who plays the boisterous barman in the production, seemed fine when she saw him this morning. Their children, Max and Jack, have come along in case any moral support is needed.
Actress Pat Levy is happy to be sitting among the spectators. "I've been in most of Tom's plays and I'm looking forward to watching for once," she says. Others who seem content to be sitting on the other side of the footlights are Dawn Bradfield, Eamon Kelly, John O'Hara, Sebastian Barry and Michael Harding.
At the interval, the feedback is good. Actresses Cathy Belton and Mary O'Driscoll are sure it was "a masterpiece" while actor Stephen Brennan is looking forward to the second half to see what will become of the ill-fated characters.