Bring back the theatre matinees

Sir, – Brendan Quinn’s plea for more midweek matinees in Dublin is well made, but they are alive and well in London (Letters, May 25th).

I recently saw Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa at the National Theatre on a Wednesday afternoon. The 1,150-capacity auditorium was packed.

If a wistful evocation of Co Donegal in the 1930s can sell out in England, why not here? – Yours, etc,

Dr JOHN DOHERTY,

Fintan O'Toole: We are facing the terrifying result of the West’s three stupid mistakes in the Middle East

---

‘Ireland is a country of people who are very friendly, no shooting’

---

O’Gara’s role as pantomime villain added further fuel to Leinster fire

---

Blue Lights review: This compelling show is a rare spark in the moribund world of Irish crime television

---

Gaoth Dobhair,

Co Dhún na nGall.

Sir, – Brendan Quinn’s suggestion about the Abbey Theatre needing to put on matinee performances in order to facilitate taxpayers from outside the Pale is eminently sensible and logical, which probably means the Dublin-centric Abbey will ignore it. Like many other comfortably funded and Dublin-based institutions, the Abbey is largely unaware that anyone lives west of Lucan, other than a number of gnarled and rustic characters from the plays it stages. – Yours, etc,

JOHN MULLIGAN,

Boyle,

Co Roscommon.