Lyric Players' Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Lyric Players' Theatre, more commonly known as The Lyric Theatre, or simply The Lyric, is the main full-time producing theatre in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
. The theatre was first established as the Lyric Players in 1951 at the home of its founders Mary and Pearse O’Malley in Derryvolgie Ave., off the Lisburn Road
, and moved to its current home on Ridgeway Street in 1968. Austin Clarke
had laid the foundation stone of the property in 1965.
Jesus Christ Superstar
, leading to protests. In 1976 Liam Neeson
appeared in Brian Friel's
Philadelphia Here I Come!
. Neeson's association with the Lyric has continued since, and is currently the theatre's patron. Several of Friel's plays have been staged at the theatre, including Dancing at Lughnasa
in 1996. A number of Marie Jones
plays have been staged there including A Night in November
.
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. The new theatre opened on 1 May, 2011, with a Gala Performance of 'The Crucible'. The new facility features a new main theatre with a seating capacity of almost 400 and a multi-function performance space 'The Studio' which can seat 120. The Lyric's chairman is BBC Northern Ireland
journalist Mark Carruthers
.
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.
In June 2010, Arts Minister Nelson McCausland praised the progress being made on the construction of the new Lyric Theatre in Belfast. Minister McCausland paid a pre-opening visit to the new theatre on 11 March, 2011, to view the new facilities and issued a statement expressing his satisafaction with the completed structure. He was described as 'lyrical' in his praise for the Lyric's fund-raising efforts and for the contribution of a wide range of people who had brought the construction phase to a successful conclusion.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The theatre was first established as the Lyric Players in 1951 at the home of its founders Mary and Pearse O’Malley in Derryvolgie Ave., off the Lisburn Road
Lisburn Road
The Lisburn Road is a main arterial road linking Belfast and Lisburn, in Northern Ireland.The Lisburn Road is now an extension of the "Golden Mile" with many shops, boutiques, wine bars, restaurants and coffee houses. The road runs almost parallel to the Malone Road, the two being joined by many...
, and moved to its current home on Ridgeway Street in 1968. Austin Clarke
Austin Clarke (poet)
thumb|300px|Austin Clarke Bridge in [[Templeogue]]Austin Clarke was one of the leading Irish poets of the generation after W. B. Yeats. He also wrote plays, novels and memoirs...
had laid the foundation stone of the property in 1965.
History
In 1974 the theatre staged Andrew Lloyd Webber'sAndrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
, leading to protests. In 1976 Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson
Liam John Neeson, OBE is an Irish actor who has been nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA and three Golden Globe Awards.He has starred in a number of notable roles including Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List, Michael Collins in Michael Collins, Peyton Westlake in Darkman, Jean Valjean in Les...
appeared in Brian Friel's
Brian Friel
Brian Friel is an Irish dramatist, author and director of the Field Day Theatre Company. He is considered to be the greatest living English-language dramatist, hailed by the English-speaking world as an "Irish Chekhov" and "the universally accented voice of Ireland"...
Philadelphia Here I Come!
Philadelphia Here I Come!
Philadelphia, Here I Come! is a 1964 play by Irish dramatist Brian Friel. Set in the fictional town of Ballybeg, Co.Donegal, the play launched Friel onto the international stage.-Plot:...
. Neeson's association with the Lyric has continued since, and is currently the theatre's patron. Several of Friel's plays have been staged at the theatre, including Dancing at Lughnasa
Dancing at Lughnasa
Dancing at Lughnasa is a 1990 play by dramatist Brian Friel set in Ireland's County Donegal 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...
in 1996. A number of Marie Jones
Marie Jones
Sarah Marie Jones is a Belfast-based actress and playwright. Born into a working class family, Jones was an actress for several years before turning her hand to writing.-Charabanc/DubbelJoint:...
plays have been staged there including A Night in November
A Night in November
A Night in November is a 1994 monodrama written by Marie Jones about one man's struggle with national identity during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.-Plot summary:...
.
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. The new theatre opened on 1 May, 2011, with a Gala Performance of 'The Crucible'. The new facility features a new main theatre with a seating capacity of almost 400 and a multi-function performance space 'The Studio' which can seat 120. The Lyric's chairman is BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
journalist Mark Carruthers
Mark Carruthers
Mark Carruthers OBE is a Northern Irish broadcaster and journalist, from Derry. He currently presents a number of television and radio programmes for BBC Northern Ireland.-Broadcasting work :...
.
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.
In June 2010, Arts Minister Nelson McCausland praised the progress being made on the construction of the new Lyric Theatre in Belfast. Minister McCausland paid a pre-opening visit to the new theatre on 11 March, 2011, to view the new facilities and issued a statement expressing his satisafaction with the completed structure. He was described as 'lyrical' in his praise for the Lyric's fund-raising efforts and for the contribution of a wide range of people who had brought the construction phase to a successful conclusion.