The new £18.1m Lyric Theatre on Belfast’s River Lagan opened its doors at the weekend with a series of special events. On Saturday, in the Naughton Studio, the opening ceremony included performances from actors Adrian Dunbar and Simon Callow, and concert pianist Barry Douglas. Braniel Primary School also performed an excerpt from one of the Creative Learning projects that the Lyric has delivered in partnership with local schools.
The Lyric’s Patron, Liam Neeson OBE, sent a message of support while filming on location in America: “You have taken the Lyric from a dream to a concrete idea, to a physical manifestation. You have made this building an actuality. May it be a living, breathing monument to and for the spirit of the people of Northern Ireland. I congratulate you all, and send my warmest regards for this great achievement.”
This evening, celebrated playwright Brian Friel officially opened the Northern Bank Stage. I attended as High Sheriff of Belfast with my friend Stephen Jeffers. We were delighted to meet Stephen's friend Paul Rankin, who was there with his wife. Brian Friel told the invited audience, “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.”
The 390 guests including Lyric alumni Ciaran Hinds, Conleth Hill and Brid Brennan took their seats for a gala performance of The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, directed by Conall Morrison. Our friend Van Morrison had had a preview of the theatre some days previously.The Lyric is a landmark building signaling the continued regeneration of the city and is viewed by many as a catalyst for real progress in arts provision for artists and audiences alike. In 2003, the Lyric held an international architectural competition and selected O’Donnell and Tuomey from 56 entries as the architects to design a new theatre facility.
“When we took the first steps on the journey to rebuild our home almost a decade ago we could only imagine the day we would unveil our new theatre – but that time has come at last,” Lyric Chairman Mark Carruthers OBE said.
“This project has never been about just bricks and mortar. We were always focused on a bigger vision – a new landmark building which would be both functional and handsome, certainly – but more than that, we wanted to build a real home for everyone with an interest in theatre, and one that will play a central role in the cultural and economic development of Northern Ireland.”
Built in a stunning blend of ‘Belfast’ brick, steel, concrete and Iroko timber, the new theatre will be alive and dramatic at all times, including a café open daily and Sunday afternoon performances. Glass-fronted lobbies and bars overlooking the river, beautiful auditoria with an exciting artistic programme will make the Lyric a thriving social hub, creative learning space and a real attraction for visitors to the city.