George Bernard Shaw provoke, although it was shown at the city's Royal Theatre in November 1907. Shaw later wrote that William Butler Yeats, who had requested the play, "got rather more than he bargained for... It was uncongenial to the whole spirit of the neo-Gaelic movement, which is bent on creating a new Ireland after its own ideal, whereas my play is a very uncompromising presentment of the real old Ireland." Nonetheless, Shaw and Yeats were close friends; Yeats and Lady Gregory tried unsuccessfully to persuade Shaw to take up the vacant co-directorship of the Abbey Theatre after J. M. Synge's death in
Shaw Theatre French hotel chain AccorHotels. It was originally known as the "Library Theatre"; its current name is in honour of George Bernard Shaw. After the 1998 refurbishment, the Shaw has 446 seats and two large foyers, four large dressing rooms for up to 60 people and extensive high quality backstage facilities which include a workshop space and laundry facilities. Notable musicians, actors and comedians who have performed at the Shaw Theatre include Dionne Warwick, Kerry Ellis, Eartha Kitt, Boy George, Van Morrison, Harry Connick Jr., Ron Moody, and Janie Dee whose concert included a surprise performance by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.