Lyric Theatre – We miss you! Here’s what we’re up to…
At this time of great concern for us all, I sincerely hope that you and your family are in good health.
At the Lyric on Tuesday 17th March, St Patrick’s Day, we closed our building to the public, to play our part in combatting the spread of the COVID-19 virus amongst our audience, our staff, and our neighbours. We took this unprecedented action as soon as it became apparent to us that distance and self-isolation were what it would take to combat this dreadful contagion.
I want to assure you that we in the Arts community are meeting this challenge head-on and I am confident we will see this through because we’re a strong and committed community, and the Lyric will go on to enrich people’s lives long into the future. You will read below about our re-imagined New Speak, our very first digital-only project which is powerfully responsive to the strange moment we have now found ourselves.
As a charity, the Lyric relies upon our audience for up to two-thirds of our income. We are asking our audiences to consider making a small donation if they can afford it. This donation of whatever size will go a long way to ensuring the Lyric can withstand the devastating impact of COVID-19 virus, and that we can continue to bring audiences fantastic work created at home, featuring homegrown talent and celebrated throughout the country.
The Lyric is a playhouse for all, and we will continue to be a creative hub for theatre-making and a shared civic space for all in Northern Ireland. We appreciate your continued support and your understanding more than ever, and I look forward to the day when we can re-open our doors and welcome you back to your Lyric. The Lyric is your theatre.
With my heartfelt thanks. Please stay safe and healthy,
Jimmy Fay
New Speak Re-Imagined
Available online from 24 April
Where are we now, and where are we going? What would you say if you could speak with the future? Can you change the world?
We’re moving our artist-led initiative New Speak online and into your homes, with compelling, invigorating new work from Amadan Ensemble, Dominic Montague, Katie Richardson, Lata Sharma, and Zara Janahi that speaks to where we are now.
In November 2019, we announced that we would commission five artists to each create a dynamic short performance piece that seeks to engage with the urgent questions raised by our current political, social and economic moment; reflecting on how we got here, and imagining where we go next.
Since then the world has changed utterly. But while our stages may be dark right now, this broadcast will not be interrupted.
We are creating a series of four videos featuring the work of these artists. Each Friday from 24th April we will release one video on our youtube channel, which will be available for one week from the time of its release.
Watch Peter Pan the Musical online this Easter
Available online from 10th April
We had such an amazing response to the online streaming of Alice the Musical, and with an Easter at home just around the corner we want to continue sharing the magic with you and your little ones.
Next in the series of musical family productions from the Lyric Theatre is our 2019 Christmas production Peter Pan the Musical by Paul Boyd.
The full recording will be available to watch online from 1pm on Friday 10th April until midnight on Monday 13th April. Fly off to Neverland with us this Easter weekend!
We’re delighted that the wonderfully creative energy of Northern Ireland has been so well represented at this year’s Irish Times Theatre Awards.
Lyric Theatre Winners
Best Actress – Aoibhéann McCann, A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Costume Design – Enda Kenny, A Streetcar Named Desire
It’s wonderful to see the award go to Aoibhéann McCann for her portrayal of Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire and to Enda Kenny for his amazing costume design for the same production.
It’s brilliant also to see Best Opera Production go to Conor Mitchell’s seminal Abomination produced by Belfast Ensemble and Outburst Arts. A creative and powerful piece that deserves many more outings. Also so happy that the outstanding The Alternative by Michael Patrick and Oisín Kearney picked up two major awards. It shows that there is something wonderfully creative happening in the north where a generation are taking stock and making political and personal art that is complex, darkly funny and emotionally shattering.
Congratulations to all the winners.
We understand that the Covid 19 pandemic is making this is a very difficult time for local businesses, our audience members and the community as a whole. We want to be able to continue producing great theatre for you when we return and to do so your support is more important to us than ever.
If you are able to consider making a donation to us at this time we would be truly grateful. Thank you.
