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Restrictions on Access

Unrestricted access.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the World Wide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult Special Collections Research Center to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation to the original.

Related Materials in Other Repositories

Abbey Theatre Collection, Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University, Atlanta, GA and Abbey Theatre Collection, John J. Burns Library, Archives and Manuscripts, Boston College, Boston, MA.

Related Materials in This Repository

Special Collections of Morris Library holds additional material pertaining to the Abbey Theatre, including the following: a scrapbook of the Abbey Theatre, July 18, 1951-March 10, 1954, compiled by Geoff and Maine Golden (Misc. Vol. 120); letters [1917]-1931, from Lady Gregory to James B. Pond and a portion of a letter to John Quinn (VFM 501); letters (1926-28) from Lady Gregory to T.C. Murray (VFM 499); papers (1934-35) of Brian O'Nolan (Coll. 51); letters (1919) from Lennox Robinson to T. C. Murray (VFM 452); miscellaneous material related to Lennox Robinson's stay as a visiting professor at Bowling Green University (VFM 1065); a notebook by Lennox Robinson concerning the 1798 uprising in Ireland (VFM 1490); the Lennox Robinson Collection, which includes correspondence with Yeats and Lady Gregory (Coll. 91); a holograph manuscript of James Stephens' only published play Julia Elizabeth (case MSS 41); a letter from W. B. Yeats (Feb. 1, 1935) to Dr. Lartton Hayes discussing his plans to start the reorganization of the Abbey Theatre (VFM 305); another letter (Nov. 13 [n.y.]) from Yeats to an unidentified woman, saying he has put his play, as far as amateur rights are concerned, in the hands of a Mr. French, an agent (VFM 126); and inventories of two other collections dealing with the Irish Literary Renaissance: The O'Riordan correspondence (Coll. 54) and the Katharine Tynan Hinkson papers (Coll. 55).

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Abbey Theatre collection, Special Collections Research Center, Morris Library, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Historical Note

In 1899, in pursuance of a plan made toward the end of the previous year by W. B. Yeats, Augusta Lady Gregory, and Edward Martyn, the Irish Literary Theatre presented itself to the public, and on successive nights produced two plays in Dublin. In 1904, Miss Annie Fredericka Horniman, a friend and patron of Yeats, bought and adopted the disused Mechanics Institute in Abbey Street, Dublin, and gave it, as the Abbey Theatre, to the Society, together with an annual subsidy. Shortly after, Miss Horniman withdrew her support of the Abbey, but under the guidance of its directors (Yeats, Gregory, and Martyn) it continued on. The Abbey Players performed such controversial plays as Synge's The Playboy of the Western World and O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars, and gained a reputation as a home for Irish drama. In the early 1920's the Abbey lobbied successfully for a state subsidy, and became Ireland's first National Theatre.

In July 1951, the whole of the backstage premises were destroyed by fire. Sean MacEntee, Minister of Finance, suggested that instead of restoring the damaged portion of the structure, the Directors should seek temporary accommodations in which the Abbey might carry on until the erection of a worthy National Theatre in place of the old, cramped building. Accordingly, a lease of the Queen's Theatre was obtained.

In 1961 plans were in progress for a new Abbey Theatre at the same location, and on July 29, 1966, the new Abbey Theatre opened its doors with The Plough and the Stars.

Irish Literary Revival at the turn of the century. Two books which offer much information on the Abbey Theatre, its history, its actors, and its plays are Ireland's Abbey Theatre, compiled by Lennox Robinson, and The Abbey Theatre, by Gerard Fay.

Scope and Content Note

The Abbey Theatre collection covers a period of approximately 65 years. The material includes theatre programs, photographs, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, miscellaneous correspondence, architectural briefs and designs, cheques and receipts, and some material about Sara Allgood, a leading actress of the Irish theatre. The bulk of the collection consists of selected Abbey Theatre programs, 1904-1970, arranged chronologically, all in good condition and in their original covers. Also included are the program of the opening night of the Abbey, 27 December 1904, and the program announcing the first productions of some of the controversial plays (such as Playboy of the Western World, January 1907). In addition to the Abbey Theatre programs, there are samples of programs from the Abbey Experimental Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Dublin Gate Theatre, Royalty and Royal Court Theatre, and Q Theatre. The photographs include some scenes from Abbey plays, as well as two photographs of the old Abbey Theatre after the fire and six photographs of the new Abbey Theatre. The newspaper clippings and magazine articles provide information about the Abbey after the fire. The folder which holds material about Sara Allgood has a photocopy of her photograph; the first three pages of The Image, a play by Lady Gregory, which apparently belonged to Allgood; a note, dated 25 July 1911, in her own handwriting; and a postcard from the Abbey's 1911 tour of the United States.

Arrangement Note

Organized into six series: (1) Abbey Theatre programs, (2) Abbey Theatre photographs, (3) New Abbey Theatre press releases and clippings, (4) Sara Allgood, (5) Miscellaneous Abbey documents, and (6) Programs and miscellaneous of other theatres

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Selected Search Terms

Topical Terms

Irish drama--20th century

Theater--Ireland--20th century