Tomás Mac Anna

Mac Anna, Tomás (1926- ), theatre director and playwright; born in Dundalk, he was educated at the College of Art in Dublin, worked as a customs officer 1945-47, and then at the Abbey Theatre as a producer of Gaelic plays, subsequently becoming Artistic Adviser to the Board in 1966, then Artistic Director 1972-79 and 1984-85. His work as an innovative stage director was crucial in modernizing the Abbey style after its re-opening in 1966. He co-wrote the Irish pantomimes for years. Amongst his original plays are Winter Wedding (1956), Dear Edward (1973), Scéal Scéalaí (1977), and Glittering Spears (1983), a drama-documentary on O'Casey's The Silver Tassie.