It was an idea that author and actor Peter Sheridan couldn't resist; working with legends including Cyril Cusack, Sean O'Casey and Barry Fitzgerald, alongside some of today's heros - Brenda Fricker and Colm Meaney. When he was asked to make the new series of television ads for the Abbey Theatre, he got his chance.
Sheridan raided the archives and found a wealth of old footage that he has spliced together with new performances. The Irish wolfhound which features in the Abbey logo is the linking emblem of the ads, and at the preview lunch on Monday, the real thing - Blossom - wandered around, doleful but amicable. Naomi Cullen, the charming, ringletted child who wanders through the ads beside the wolfhound, is a veteran of several ads and student films, and seemed not a bit phased by appearing alongside luminaries of the Abbey stage.
Sheridan, who is now turning his attentions back to his semi-autobiographical book, said the response from Brenda and Colm was great, coming on board without the lure of cash. He laughed that it was just as well Brenda was the actress involved because "Who else would kiss an Irish wolfhound like that? Only Brenda!"