Modernisation and national representation in late 19th century Dublin theatres

Abstract

Traditional theatre historiography regards the Abbey Theatre as the embodiment of the modern phase of Irish drama. This article argues that modernising forces already dominated the artistic policies and repertoires of Dublin's patent theatres and music halls. Moreover, these theatres fulfilled many of the demands of an Irish 'national' theatre. Investigating the concept of 'national representation', this piece argues that issues of prestige, Irishness and representing the majority of Irish people were already major preoccupations in Dublin's houses of entertainment. This forces us to re-assess the innovative status of the Irish Literary Theatre and of the Abbey Theatre. They did not invent an Irish national theatre, but rather redefined its role. They continued the move towards national representation in the theatre by staging prestigious Irish drama, but initiated a major change in the way people thought of a national culture when their select sense of taste came to 'represent' that of the entire nation.