The New Lyric Theatre

As I mentioned in the last post, the rebuilt Lyric Theatre opened this weekend with a production of Arthur MIller's The Crucible. Brian Friel spoke on Sunday night at the opening of the Northern Bank stage, saying that “I pray that Belfast, which must be rightly proud of what has been accomplished here, may reap the rewards of sustaining this theatre and that its excellence and excitement find echoes in the daily lives of Belfast people.”

Lyric alumni such as Ciaran Hinds, Adrian Dunbar and Conleth Hill attended the inaugural performance, which was directed by Conall Morrison. The new Lyric has two auditoria, rehearsal space, dressing rooms and social areas - a marked improvement on the old building which was showing its age and was inhibiting the theatre's expansion and ambitions.

Well done to all involved on this momentous occasion!

Sarah Poutch