Rupert Guinness Theatre At the top of Watling Street, and looking a little forlorn, stands the former Rupert Guinness Theatre, together with an adjoining disused office building. The Guinness website tells us that: Rupert Guinness Hall, named after the Second Lord Iveagh, Rupert Edward Guinness, was first opened on 16 May 1951, with its first production on the same day, ‘Shadow of a Gunman’ by Sean O’Casey by the Guinness Drama Group (later renamed the Guinness Players in the 1960s). The Hall was intended for use for the various welfare, social and such like purposes for our people (Hugh Beaver, Managing Director, 1 March 1950). Previously concerts and entertainment for Brewery employees were held at various locations in the Brewery and Dublin city, including, Workmen’s Rooms, Olympia Theatre and Mansion House. The Hall became the showpiece of the Guinness company and was used for many purposes, in particular the Annual Entertainment every January and various musical events. Admission to the performances were free to Guinness employees. Tickets to the annual concerts were precious, the shows ran for six nights a week for four weeks, and there was a different-coloured ticket for each night. It also became the focal point for many societies within the Brewery, such as the Guinness Choir, the Guinness Players, and the Guinness Film Society. The space is no longer used, despite its size and ability to accommodate about 200 people. As with much of the Guinness (now Diageo) property on James Street, the Theatre has seen better days and now appears uncared for. The civic-mindedness of Guinness has given way to a more hard-headed commercial approach by Diageo and many of the fine James Street buildings look rather sad and neglected. However, there is talk that NCAD will soon take over the space to support its ongoing expansion, and this will see a refurbishment of the theatre. How it will be used is not clear, but the reuse of the Hall for exhibitions and entertainment would be a welcome development, particularly if its opened to the public. Does anyone have any memories of being inside the Theatre and details of when it finally closed?
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:54:52 +0000
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