I have been the proud patron of the Lyric Theatre for many years.
For over 70 years, the Lyric has been the beating cultural heart of Northern Ireland.
And over all of these years so many lives have been transformed and enriched by the magnificent work of this theatre, including mine by the way.
The Lyric truly is a theatre of and for all the people of Northern Ireland.
“I called the ‘old’ Lyric in September 1975. A lady by the name of Mary O’Malley answered my call.
I told her in a rather garbled fashion about my amateur career as an actor and naively asked if she had any openings for me to pursue a possible career as a professional actor. There was a slight pause after I’d finished blathering. She then said, “What height are you?” I answered 6’4”.
“Can you come up here for an audition next Thursday, with several prepared pieces. One piece from Shakespeare, one from an American playwright and one from an Irish writer?” I answered “Yes, of course, thank you.”
The day arrived. I had a job in Ballymena’s Housing Executive. I took the day off.
Met with Mrs. O’ Malley and found her immediately intimidating. She sat about three rows back in the theatre. I was on stage. It was just the two of us. I did my prepared pieces (rather nervously). She then motioned for me to join her in the seat beside her. She proceeded to tell me in great detail the hazards of the professional actor’s life, ie, 70% unemployed all the time, sticks in my memory. I was crestfallen. She then offered me a job to join the Lyric, commencing January 26th, 1976. I was dumbstruck. I signed a provisional Actor’s Equity contract that afternoon in her manager Winnie Bell’s tiny office that afternoon. I wasn’t aware of my feet touching the ground as I made my way back to the train station to take me home. My life was about to change, come January 26th.
The last time we ever spoke was 1993. I was nominated for an academy award for ‘Schindler’s List’ and I wanted to thank her again for giving this big lug a start. We giggled and cried together as we spoke on the phone. I shall never forget her; bless her.”
Liam Neeson - Recalling how he met the founder of the Lyric Players/ Theatre, Mary O’Malley.
We are a shared, open, welcoming place to meet and share ideas; changing lives through our commitment to creativity and cultural talent. We support the careers of our foremost actors, playwrights and creatives, and we make a huge contribution to the cultural industries of Northern Ireland, creating pathways to employment through TV and film.
We provide a Tourism NI accredited 5-star welcome to our audiences, entertaining and inspiring them with a proven track record of artistic innovation. We reach out to the community around us, celebrating the rich diversity of our society through our programming and our work.
The Lyric plays a key role in bringing together a still-divided community in Northern Ireland. A meeting place for dialogue, the Lyric was the place chosen for an iconic moment of the peace process: the handshake between Queen Elizabeth and Martin McGuinness in 2012.
Theatre can change attitude and lives. The work we do in schools and in the community is much more than giving access to shows. We believe that theatre and creativity should be part of every child’s education to help build civic society leadership, giving our young people the ability to imagine and more deeply understand the world around them. 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement, theatre is a hugely important way for a post-agreement generation to continue to do the work of reconciliation, bringing together and sharing stories.
We are a place of storytellers. We believe in nurturing unique voices and supporting new work. Through our Literary Department, we support writing talent to tell the stories about this place, and about our place in the world. We are committed to touring our work, showcasing and celebrating Northern Irish talent on the world stage, further enhancing our global cultural reputation.
Last year, the Lyric was recognised for our work with young people, winning ‘Excellence in Arts Education’ at UK Theatre awards 2022. This work in schools and communities across Northern Ireland is delivered by Philip, Erin, Caragh and Kathy in the Creative Learning team, working directly with 15,000 children and young people every year.
Lyric Drama Studio, originally founded by Sam McCready, offers young people a safe and affordable chance to explore a career in professional theatre. In the past 10 years, 72 of our graduates have gained places at major Drama Schools in the UK and Ireland, and we continue to support them when they get there.
Many come back and find employment at the Lyric and many more go on to work in other areas of theatre, film and television: in casting, in production and in design.
It was one of the best moments I have had in my eleven years of life.
I wouldn’t have a career today without places like the Lyric that supported young artists and gave us free drama lessons when nowhere else was really doing it. I owe so much to the Creative Learning department there.- Tashinga Makoni, P7 pupil at Taughmonagh PS who took part in a Lyric Theatre/ Electric Ireland Creative Writing workshop with Kelly McCaughrain, Children’s Writing Fellow for NI. - Olivier winner and Tony nominated actor Anthony Boyle
This is your playhousecome and play with us here.
2011
The Lyric Theatre is a not-for-profit theatre that is proud to be a charity. Two-thirds of our income is self-generated through ticket sales, and from support from our Friends of the Lyric, the business community and other funders. This support is vital and helps to fund a number of projects off the stage including: learning programmes for young people, our sustainability programme, protecting our digital archives, and the development of new work.
Theatre has the power to transform people and communities. We were delighted to be crowned The Stage UK’s Theatre of the Year 2023 in recognition of our work with young people in the community and in education; in developing new audiences and nurturing new writers.
By supporting the Lyric today, you are helping make this work possible.
Starting at just £/$2,500, partner with the Lyric Theatre today to support our work onstage and our work with young people and communities across Northern Ireland. Whether you are seeking to entertain clients, host events, hire spaces, develop your staff or support the wider community, becoming a Corporate Star of the Lyric can help you with a range of amazing benefits.
To learn more about how you can support the work of the Lyric Theatre please contact Claire Murray - Head of Development: clairemurray@lyrictheatre.co.uk.
Commemorating the 25th annivarsary of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland
Written by Owen McCaffertyDirected by Charlotte Westenra
Our Friends of the Lyric have been raising awareness and support for the Lyric Theatre across the US since 2005. Twelve years ago we rebuilt the Lyric’s new home on the banks of the River Lagan with the help of you, our Irish American friends, and this continues to be a source of great pride to people right across Ireland. Last year the Lyric Theatre won the prestigious RIBA Gold Medal, the highest honour in Irish Architecture, in recognition of an exceptional building that has proved the test of time.
Our Friends of the Lyric have also supported key projects, including Lyric Digital (transforming our digital archives), and supporting our Lyric Playwright in Residence scheme.
As a not-for-profit theatre and a charity, this support is so valuable to us.
We are committed to building towards the future, and now as we look forward to our 75th anniversary in 2026 (also the 15th anniversary of our award-winning building) our ambitions for the theatre are as great as ever. Our future plans include touring more of our work to America, and expanding our young people’s programme, to widen access and participation.
US taxpayers wishing to support Lyric Theatre can do so by making a Donor Advised Gift to The Ireland Funds America, a US charitable non-profit corporation that is recognised under US law as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity. Gifts to The Ireland Funds America are tax deductible to the extent permitted by US law. The Ireland Funds America Tax I.D. number is #25-1306 992.
If you would like to make a Donor Advised Gift to The Ireland Funds America, please contact Gabrielle LeFavre on glafavre@irelandfunds.org to complete the prerequisite paperwork and receive instructions for transferring the funds.
Your gift can make a real difference
Lyric Players Founded by Mary O’Malley & Dr Pearse O’Malley
First performance of Lost Light by the Lyric Players before an invited audience in the O’Malley’s drawing room theatre at 117 Lisburn Road.
The players moved to a studio space in a hayloft at the o’Malley’s new residence in Derryvolgie Avenue.
The scale of the work having expanded hugely, the Lyric, players becomes a non-profit making association with the aim of building a new theatre.
Austin Clarke, doyen of Irish poets, laid the foundation stone for the new theatre on Ridgeway Street on the banks of the river Lagan in South Belfast.
The Lyric theatre opened its new home on Ridgeway Street 26th October 1968.
The Flats by John Boyd
The first play on the Troubles by a local writer to be staged in Northern Ireland and the first play in over a decade to deal directly with sectarian politics.
Jesus Christ Superstar by Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber
Too hot for many people to handle back in the 1970s, protesters outside the theatre helped to ensure full houses. The cast included Ken Stott.
We do it for Love by Patrick Galvin
A musical satire on the ongoing troubles - revived twice due to high demand and toured Dublin and London.
Philadelphia, Here I come by Brian Friel
Perhaps Liam Neeson’s finest hour on the Lyric Stage, co starring alongside John Hewitt.
The Interrogation of Ambrose Fogarty by Martin Lynch
The first mainstream theatre in Northern Ireland tackling a contemporary political subject as inflammatory as interrogation head-on.
The Hidden Curriculum by Graham Reid
Set in a working class school in a protestant area this was a hard hitting play suggesting that those ineffective education system today faced only the dole, paramilitary involvement tomorrow.
Indian Summer by jennifer Johnston
A beautiful play benefiting from a stunning performance from Ciaran Hinds, now an internationally acclaimed film actor, most recently in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Munich’.
Joyriders by Christina Reid
Joyriders gave a shock of recognition to many young people attending theatre for the first time with a focus on a young, working-class generation whose voice was placed centre stage.
Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel
You had to fight to get a ticket for Conall Morrison’s breathtaking production.
Stones in his Pockets by Marie Jones
Conleth Hill and Sean Campion both earned Tony nominations for their performances as film extras Charlie and Jake in this smash-hit comedy.
Conversations on a Homecoming by Tom Murphy
The Lyric’s production toured to the Dublin Theatre Festival with a cast that included Adrian Dunbar and Conleth Hill.
A Night in November by Marie Jones
A one-man tour de force for actor Dan Gordon. Sell-out audiences welcomed its humour, note of possibility and. message that people’s destiny lies in their own hands.The Lyric toured its production to Australia.
The Wizard of Oz by Frank L Baum
This ambitious musical played to packed family audiences and marked a final adieu to the Lyric, which closed for demolition and rebuild on the 8th January 2008.
The new award-winning Lyric Theatre designed by O’Donnell and Tuomey opens with a showing of The Crucible in the main auditorium.
The historic handshake - Her majesty The Queen visits the Lyric and is greeted by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Our Creative Learning Department produced the first tour of Blackout in partnership with Hydebank Wood College and the Department of Justice which visited schools across Northern Ireland.
Irish Times Theatre Awards
Resulting in 4 awards - Best director, Selina Cartmell for Punk Rock. Best set design, Alyson Cumins for Pentecost. Best lighting, Ciaran Bagnall for Pentecost. Best costume design, Mick Britton for How Many Miles to Babylon.
Co-production of Translations with the Abbey Theatre which toured all Ireland.
Theatre of the Year Lyric Theatre was announced as ‘Theatre of the Year’ by The Stage Awards, in recognition of their work on and off stage.
Agreement by Owen McCafferty
The Lyric Theatre’s captivating portrayal of the events leading up to the Good Friday Agreement garnered widespread critical acclaim. This remarkable production took place during the momentous 25th anniversary of the historic agreement, graced by the presence of distinguished world leaders, including Secretary Hillary Clinton and Senator George Mitchell.
75th anniversary of the Lyric Players
15th anniversary of the award-winning Lyric Theatre building
As the only full-time producing and development house in Northern Ireland, the Lyric Theatre is passionate about supporting artists and developing writing talent and is always on the lookout for exciting new work.
We are committed to new writing and have a distinguished history of premiering new work by Irish playwrights, from Brian Friel, Christina Reid, Stewart Parker and Marie Jones to David Ireland, Conor McPherson, Erica Murray, Paul Boyd, TaraLynne O’Neill and Meghan Tyler.
This work is led by our Literary Manager and Dramaturg, offering masterclasses, one-on-one support, dramaturgy and signposting for playwrights. The Lyric’s annual New Playwrights Programme is a six-month programme providing extensive dramaturgical support for new and early-career writers. We are particularly keen to support and amplify diverse and under-represented voices across Northern Ireland. We are so proud to have won The Stage’s Theatre of the Year 2023 in recognition of our impact on writers and developing audiences for new work.
my career.
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The Lyric has always been so supportive of my work and career, and feels like a really natural creative home for my writing.- Karis Kelly, Lyric Playwright in Residence 2022, winner of Women’s Prize for Playwriting for ‘Consumed’ and The Peggy Ramsay / Film4 Award 2021
The Lyric Theatre enjoys a special place within Northern Ireland’s artistic landscape. We sit at the heart of an increasingly important part of our societythe creative industries, which accounts for 4% of the NI workforce and contributes £1,311million to the economy.
The Lyric Theatre makes a significant contribution to the wider creative industries as an award-winning theatre showcasing artistic innovation, attracting local and international tourism; as a springboard of talent across the world, enhancing our global cultural reputation; as an essential part of the cultural ecosystem, providing employment, training and pathways into TV and film employment for actors, designers, technicians and directors.
Throughout the years, the Lyric Theatre has been privileged to collaborate with exceptional talent from Northern Ireland who have gone on to make remarkable contributions to the West End, Broadway, as well as the TV and film industry.
