signs 4 April 2009
I saw a great sign while in a cab going along Dublin’s docklands recently. There’s a new bridge being built to link the south quay with a new conference centre on the northside of the quays and it is to be called the Samuel Beckett Bridge – the sign reads ‘Samuel Beckett Bridge – coming 2010’ Now why do I feel a Waiting for Godot gag coming on??
I’ve noticed that all of the, generally empty, buildings in Dublin’s Docklands have every single light on every night – so much for the planet and the rest of us turning our lights off for Earth Hour and so on. We rehearsed there for the latter part of the OCTOBER preparations and it was strange. After 6 or 7 in the evening it was a deserted enough area as the office workers had gone home and there are few enough houses – though lots of apartment buildings which seemed sparsely populated and insular. There is a huge feeling of arrested development about the area as building work has halted nearly everywhere because of the recession.
We’re having an Emergency Budget in Ireland to try to raise more money for the Exchequer on April 7th – SO not looking forward to that as we are all taxed to the hilt right now and things are only going to get worse. AND none of the bankers responsible for the mess seem to have been punished in any meaningful way, if at all. It’s depressing. In the meantime my Galway nephew has been laid off, his mum’s hours have been cut and my London bro is currently unemployed. Worrying all round.
On a lighter note, Rough Magic Theatre Company is celebrating 25 years and I have been out to see readings of various shows old and new (the oldies being reinterpreted by new people) – it’s joyous and touching. Here’s to another 25 years of the company! There are lots of activities/readings today and tomorrow at Project Arts Centre in Dublin’s Temple Bar for those of you with an interest, and plenty of fine talk and a jar or 2 to be had afterwards also.
