"The Abbey Theatre is the most national of all National Theatres. It's like a  microcosm of the nation." Quoted in John Lynch's definitive documentary on the Abbey, former Artistic Director Patrick Mason sets the stage for an exploration of the Abbey's greatest achievements... and failures. From the glory of its early years in the 1910s and 1920s through the financial and artistic doldrums of the 60s and 70s to its rebirth in the early 1990s, Lynch chronicles the theatre's turbulent history in great detail. Warm, often moving reminisces from Abbey players Colm Meaney and Shelah Richards contrast with acerbic commentary from the likes of Brendan Behan, Barry Fitzgerald (both in archival footage) and Stephen Rea to create a rounded, critical and thoroughly involving portrait of Ireland's foremost artistic institution.