A performance of Handel’s Messiah at the National Concert Hall in Dublin was “one of the most enjoyable evenings” John Major and his wife, Norma, had experienced in years, newly released State papers show.
The British prime minister and his wife were on a pre-Christmas trip to Northern Ireland and Dublin in 1995 when time was made for a social event. They were fortunate that Messiah was showing, as it was panto season. Documents show that Irish officials made a list of the possible theatre entertainment available and noted that Aladdin was showing in the Gaiety, and the Adventures of Chez Mouse was under way in the Peacock.
The Majors might have ended up at the Bjorn Again Christmas Show in the Point, which was “a pop show take-off of Abba” according to the helpful briefing.
“While the Gaiety, Point and Peacock are clearly unsuitable, you might like to consider the Playboy of the Western World or indeed the musical, the King and I as options to the Messiah in the Concert Hall,” the official suggested.
Messiah was clearly the right choice, as John Major was effusive in his praise of “a truly marvellous evening” when he wrote to taoiseach John Bruton on his return.
“Norma said it was one of the most enjoyable evenings she had had in the past five years, and I entirely subscribe to that,” he wrote.
“We could not have been received with greater hospitality, kindness or warmth by you and Finola [Bruton’s wife] and the magnificent cast and audience at the performance of the Messiah.”
In fact, the evening had made such a lasting impression on the prime minister that he mentioned it again, 18 years later, when he was speaking at an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration. That night “was once of the most treasured memories of my years in office”, he told a gathering in Dublin.
Spontaneous pub visit
Back in 1995, the prime minister had also proposed a visit to a pub during his trip to Dublin so it was arranged that Bruton and Major would walk from Government Buildings to Merrion Row for a very carefully choreographed moment of spontaneity.
Civil servants and other staff were placed in an upstairs room of Foley’s pub “for atmosphere” and it was suggested that the media be told that the taoiseach and prime minister had joined staff who were having a Christmas celebration. “This should create an image of informality and spontaneity,” it added.
In another meticulously planned sideshow, several cricketers were in the bar when the cricket-loving prime minister walked in. “What a splendid coincidence that so many cricketers happened to be drinking in the pub just at the moment when we chose to drop by,” he marvelled to Mr Bruton.
Major’s private secretary, Roderic Lyne, was also lavish in his praise of the social events in Dublin. Writing to the secretary general of the Department of the Taoiseach, Paddy Teahon, he said: “As I look back over the ups and downs of the past three years… yesterday evening will remain in the memory as one of the most agreeable moments.”
He said the reception given to Major by the audience at the National Concert Hall was “genuinely moving – even to a hard-bitten old Stalinist”. (File: 2021/97/7)
