The Medallion Man

Early on Thursday evening, the Abbey Bar was the venue for the presentation of a Gradam to playwright Hugh Leonard. A Gradam is a bronze medallion, which is given by the Abbey to writers as a mark of honour, which makes Hugh Leonard a very superior type of Medallion Man. This is the 10th presentation of the award, which was last given a year ago to John B. Keane.

James Hickey, chairman of the Abbey Board, presented the award. Patrick Mason, the Abbey's artistic director was also there. Karen Ardiff, Ingrid Craigie, and Catherine Walsh, the three actresses currently appearing in Leonard's play, Love in the Title, took time out from make-up to add their applause to their gathering. Also invited were directors Conall Morrison and Ben Barnes, designer Joe Vanek, and playwright Bernard Farrell.

Some of those at the Abbey then headed further up town for the opening night of Samuel Beckett's Endgame at the Gate. Appearing in the play are seasoned Beckettians Alan Stanford, Barry McGov- ern, Pauline Flanagan and Bill Golding. The production, which runs until the end of next week, will go to London's Barbican this autumn for its Beckett Festival.

Among those who attended were Gay Byrne - who'll soon be able to go opening nights on Fridays also - and Kathleen Watkins; Judith Woodworth of the National Concert Hall; Dan Loughrey of Aer Lingus; artist Phelim Egan, who has a show currently running at Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum; actress Jeananne Crow- ley; and John Callaghan of First Active.