Lyric Theatre, Belfast
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Lyric Theatre, or simply The Lyric, is the principal, full-time producing theatre in
Belfast Belfast (, , , ; from ) is the capital city and principal port of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan and connected to the open sea through Belfast Lough and the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland), North Channel ...
,
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...
. In January 2023 it won
The Stage ''The Stage'' is a British weekly newspaper and website covering the entertainment industry and particularly theatre. Founded in 1880, ''The Stage'' contains news, reviews, opinion, features, and recruitment advertising, mainly directed at thos ...
's Theatre of the Year award in recognition of "its programme...as well as for its online festival of skills development sessions... and the their work to attract under-represented audiences through LGBT+ productions, as well as for their extensive education and outreach programme." The theatre's current Executive Producer is Jimmy Fay, previously the founder and Artistic Director of Bedrock Productions.


History

The theatre was first established as The Lyric Players in 1951 at the home of its founders Mary O'Malley and her husband Pearse in Derryvolgie Avenue, off the Malone Road, and moved to its new site on Ridgeway Street in 1968, between the Stranmillis Road and Stranmillis Embankment. Austin Clarke laid the foundation stone in 1965 a deliberate choice by O'Malley to build a link back to her artistic hero
W. B. Yeats William Butler Yeats (, 13 June 186528 January 1939), popularly known as W. B. Yeats, was an Irish poet, dramatist, writer, and literary critic who was one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. He was a driving force behind the ...
. In 1974 the theatre staged Andrew Lloyd Webber's ''
Jesus Christ Superstar ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Life of Jesus in the New Testament, Gospels' accounts of Passion of Jesus, the Passion, the work interprets ...
'', leading to protests. In 1976
Liam Neeson William John Neeson (born 7 June 1952) is an actor from Northern Ireland. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Liam Neeson, several accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, BAFT ...
appeared in Brian Friel's '' Philadelphia Here I Come!''. Neeson's association with the Lyric has continued since, and he is currently the theatre's patron. Several of Friel's plays have been staged at the theatre, including ''
Dancing at Lughnasa ''Dancing at Lughnasa'' is a 1990 play by dramatist Brian Friel set in County Donegal, Ireland in August 1936 in the fictional town of Ballybeg. It is a memory play told from the point of view of the adult Michael Evans, the narrator. He re ...
'' in 1996 and 2015. A number of Marie Jones plays have been staged there including ''A Very Weird Manor''. In 2004 the theatre announced a fundraising campaign to redevelop the theatre on its existing site. In June 2007 a £1m donation by Northern Irish businessman Dr Martin Naughton kickstarted the development. Naughton's donation was the largest in Northern Ireland arts history. He had previously made donations to Queen's University, where the Naughton Gallery is named in his honour.


New Lyric Theatre

The new theatre, designed by O'Donnell & Tuomey, opened on 1 May 2011, with a Gala Performance of ''
The Crucible ''The Crucible'' is a 1953 play by the American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay from 1692 to 1693. Miller wrote ...
''. The new facility features a new main theatre with a seating capacity of almost 400 and a multi-function performance space 'The Naughton Studio' which can seat between 120 and 170. This new theatre was an almost threefold increase in the size of the previous building and the theatre remains the largest employer of actors and other theatre professionals in the region. The Lyric's current Chair is Sir Bruce Robinson who took over in January 2015 from
BBC Northern Ireland BBC Northern Ireland is a division of the BBC and the main public broadcasting, public broadcaster in Northern Ireland. It is widely available across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. BBC Northern Ireland is one of the four BB ...
journalist
Mark Carruthers Mark Carruthers OBE (born 1965) is a Northern Irish journalist. He currently presents a number of television and radio programmes for BBC Northern Ireland. Broadcasting work Carruthers first joined BBC Northern Ireland in 1989 contributing to ...
, who received an OBE at Buckingham Palace on 25 March 2011, in recognition of his leadership of the theatre at a highly critical time in its development. Since the theatre re-opened a permanent exhibition of the work of Belfast-born visual artist Colin Davidson (artist) has been on display at the theatre where he personally presented his work to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the President of Ireland during the Royal visit to Northern Ireland on 27 June 2012. This was the occasion, and the Lyric was the chosen site, for a public meeting between
Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
and
Martin McGuinness James Martin Pacelli McGuinness (; 23 May 1950 – 21 March 2017) was an Irish republican politician and statesman for Sinn Féin and a leader within the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) during The Troubles. He was the deputy First Minist ...
, Deputy First Minister for the Northern Ireland Assembly and a former commander of the IRA. The event is viewed by many as a positive sign for the ongoing peace process in Northern Ireland. In October 2018, as part of the theatre's 50th anniversary on the Stranmillis site, that theme of being "a shared place, a crossroads between communities" was marked at a symposium and over a weekend of celebratory events with the
Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It was launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is Ireland's leading n ...
noting the Lyric was a cultural bridge in a divided city. In 2023 the theatre reported an overall annual audience of over 90,000 people and having engaged close to 13,000 school children as part of the Creative Learning programme.


Controversy

A Stormont investigation found that there were serious failing in the selection of a preferred bidder for the new Lyric Theatre building. The report stated that the way in which the contract was awarded was significantly flawed and failed to adhere to principles of good practice. Chairwoman of the
Public Accounts Committee A public accounts committee (PAC) is a committee within a legislature whose role is to study public audits, invite ministers, permanent secretaries or other ministry officials to the committee for questioning, and report on their findings subseque ...
Michaela Boyle said: "The quality of the rebuilt Lyric Theatre is undisputed; we recognise that it is a highly impressive theatre and that it has deservedly won a number of prestigious awards. However, the end does not justify the means. My committee has found that there were significant departures from good practice." A year after Stormont's PAC reported, then finance minister Simon Hamilton suggested that if the committee had actually found evidence of fraud the people they should be speaking to are the PSNI, not the BBC and that the committee had "slurred organisations and individuals."


Productions

* ''Our New Girl'', 2025, by
Nancy Harris Nancy Harris is an Irish playwright and screenwriter. She was awarded the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature in 2012. Early life and education Harris is the daughter of Anne and Eoghan Harris. She was educated at Trinity College Dublin, earnin ...
* '' The Tragedy of Richard III'', 2024, by
William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
* '' The Pillowman'', 2024, by
Martin McDonagh Martin Faranan McDonagh ( ; born 26 March 1970) is a British-Irish playwright and filmmaker. He is known for his Absurdism, absurdist Black comedy, dark humour which often challenges the modern theatre aesthetic. He has won List of awards and no ...
* ''Cailíní'', 2024, by Íde Simpson and Beth Strahan (with ABLAZE productions) * ''
Little Women ''Little Women'' is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott, originally published in two volumes, in 1868 and 1869. The story follows the lives of the four March sisters— Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—and details th ...
'', 2024, by
Louisa May Alcott Louisa May Alcott (; November 29, 1832March 6, 1888) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known for writing the novel ''Little Women'' (1868) and its sequels ''Good Wives'' (1869), ''Little Men'' (1871), and ''Jo's Boys'' ...
* ''
The Beauty Queen of Leenane ''The Beauty Queen of Leenane'' is a 1996 dramatic play by Martin McDonagh which was premiered by the Druid Theatre Company in Galway, Ireland. It also enjoyed successful runs at London's West End, Broadway and Off-Broadway. The original Lo ...
'', 2023, by Martin McDonagh * ''
Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...
'', 2022, by William Shakespeare, adapted by Anne Bailie * ''Propaganda'', 2022, by Conor Mitchell * ''Rough Girls'', 2021, by Tara Lynne O'Neill it was later filmed for
BBC Four BBC Four is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It was launched on 2 March 2002
* ''The Border Game'', 2021 (with 2022 remount), by Michael Patrick and Oisín Kearney (with Prime Cut Productions) * ''Crocodile Fever'', 2019, by Meghan Tyler (with
Traverse Theatre The Traverse Theatre is a theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded as The Traverse Theatre Club in 1962 by John Calder, John Malcolm, Jim Haynes, Richard Demarco, Terry Lane, Andrew Muir, John Martin and Sheila Colvin. The Traverse Th ...
) * ''The Alternative'', 2019, by Michael Patrick and Oisín Kearney * ''Here Comes The Night'', 2016, by Rosemary Jenkinson * ''Smiley'', 2016, by Gary Mitchell * ''Death of a Comedian'', 2015, by Owen McCafferty (with
Abbey Theatre The Abbey Theatre (), also known as the National Theatre of Ireland () is a theatre in Dublin, Ireland. First opening to the public on 27 December 1904, and moved from its original building after a fire in 1951, it has remained active to the p ...
and
Soho Theatre Soho Theatre is a theatre and registered charity in the Soho district of the City of Westminster, and Soho Theatre Walthamstow in north-east London. It produces and presents new works of theatre, together with comedy and cabaret, across three pe ...
) * ''Demented'', 2014, by Gary Mitchell * ''Mistletoe & Crime'', 2014, by Marie Jones * ''Can't Forget About You'', 2013, by David Ireland (with
Tron Theatre The Tron Theatre is located in Glasgow, Scotland. The theatre was formerly known as the Tron Kirk. It began as the Collegiate Church of Our Lady and St. Anne. The Tron Theatre building is home to the Tron Theatre Company and serves as a prod ...
) * '' Love, Billy'', 2013, by Graham Reid * ''The Man Jesus'', 2013, by
Matthew Hurt Matthew Christopher Hurt (born April 20, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian National Basketball League (Australia), National Basketball League (NBL). He playe ...
* ''Molly Wobbly's T*t Factory'', 2012, by Paul Boyd * ''The Civilisation Game'', 2012, by Tim Loane * ''White Star of the North'' 2012, by Rosemary Jenkinson * ''The Absence of Women'', 2010, by Owen McCafferty * ''Santa Claus .. What the Reindeer Saw'', 2008 * ''To Be Sure'', 2007, by Tim Loane * ''1974'', 2006, by Damian Gorman * ''Merry Christmas Betty Ford'', 2005, by Conor Mitchell * ''The Snow Queen'', 2005, by
Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen ( , ; 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogue (literature), travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. Andersen's fai ...
, adapted by Richard Croxford * ''A Very Weird Manor'', 2005, by Marie Jones * ''Paradise'', 2004, by Alan McKee * ''McCool XXL'', 2002, by Paul Boyd * ''Marching On'', 2000, by Gary Mitchell * ''The Butterfly of Killybegs'', 2000, by Brian Foster * ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'', 1998, by Paul Boyd * ''Getting the Picture'', 1998, by David Pownall * ''Tearing the Loom'', 1998, by Gary Mitchell * ''To Hell with Faust", 1998, by Zoë Seaton * ''Drive On!'', 1996, by Bill Morrison * ''The Desert Lullaby: A Play in Two Acts'', 1996, by Jennifer Johnston * ''Lengthening Shadows'', 1995, by Graham Reid * ''Hidden Curriculum'' (revival), 1994, by Graham Reid * ''Galloping Buck Jones'', 1994, by Ken Bourke (playwright) * ''Pictures of Tomorrow'', 1994, by Martin Lynch * ''The Private Picture Show'', 1994, by Owen McCafferty * '' How Many Miles to Babylon?'', 1993, 2014, by Jennifer Johnston * ''Round the Big Clock'', 1992, by John Boyd * ''Pygmies in the Ruins'', 1991, by Ron Hutchinson * ''Rough Beginnings'', 1991, by Robert Ellison * ''Charlie Gorilla'', 1989, by John McClelland * ''The Belle of Belfast City'', 1989, by Christina Reid * ''Culture Vultures'', 1988, by Robin Glendinning * ''Summer Class'', 1986, by John Boyd * ''Minstrel Boys'', 1985, by Martin Lynch * ''Northern Star'', 1984, by
Stewart Parker James Stewart Parker (20 October 1941 – 2 November 1988) was a Northern Irish playwright. Early life Born into a working-class family in East Belfast in 1941, he was one of the post-WWII generation to be the first in their family to attai ...
* ''Remembrance'', 1984, by Graham Reid * ''Castles in the Air'', 1983, by Martin Lynch * ''Indian Summer'', 1983, by Jennifer Johnston * ''Tea in a China Cup'', 1983, by Christina Reid * ''Kingdom Come'', 1982, by
Stewart Parker James Stewart Parker (20 October 1941 – 2 November 1988) was a Northern Irish playwright. Early life Born into a working-class family in East Belfast in 1941, he was one of the post-WWII generation to be the first in their family to attai ...
* ''Speranza's Boy'', 1982, by John Boyd * ''The Interrogation of Ambrose Fogarty'', 1982, by Martin Lynch * ''Dockers'', 1981, by Martin Lynch * ''My Silver Bird'', 1981, by Patrick Galvin * ''Old Days'', 1981, by Frank Dunne * ''Victims'', 1981, by Eugene McCabe it was later filmed for
RTÉ (; ; RTÉThe É in RTÉ is pronounced as an English E () and not an Irish É ()) is an Irish public service broadcaster. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, ...
* ''Dark Rosaleen'', 1980, by Vincent Mahon * ''Facing North'', 1979, by John Boyd * ''Európé'', 1978, by
Dominic Behan Dominic Behan ( ; ; 22 October 1928 – 3 August 1989) was an Irish writer, songwriter and singer from Dublin who wrote in Irish and English. He was a socialist and an Irish republican. Born into the literary Behan family, he was one of the mo ...
* ''The Rise and Fall of Barney Kerrigan'', 1977, by Frank Dunne * ''The Street'', 1977, by John Boyd * ''The Rise and Fall of Barney Kerrigan'', 1977 by Frank Dunne * ''It Would Be Funny...'', 1975, by Tom Coffey (playwright) * ''Guests'', 1974, by John Boyd * ''We Do It For Love'', 1974, by Patrick Galvin * ''The Last Burning'', 1974 by Patrick Galvin * ''Nightfall to Belfast'', 1973, by Patrick Galvin * ''The Farm'', 1972, by John Boyd * ''The Lads'', 1972, by Joe O'Donnell * ''The Flats (Belfast 1971)'', 1971, (1984) by John Boyd * ''Lá Fhéile Míchíl'', 1963, by Eoghan Ó Tuairisc * ''Happy as Larry'', 1947, by
Donagh MacDonagh Donagh MacDonagh (22 November 1912 – 1 January 1968) was an Irish writer, judge, presenter, broadcaster, and playwright. Early life and education MacDonagh was born in Dublin on St Cecilia's Day in 1912. He was still a young child when his f ...
, staged at
Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
's
Abbey Theatre The Abbey Theatre (), also known as the National Theatre of Ireland () is a theatre in Dublin, Ireland. First opening to the public on 27 December 1904, and moved from its original building after a fire in 1951, it has remained active to the p ...


References


External links

* {{Authority control Theatres in Belfast