BELFAST's Lyric Theatre will be celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2018 with a programme of new productions and special events.
"This is a remarkable achievement for a theatre of this size," said executive producer Jimmy Fay of the milestone, which marks the Lyric's establishment on Ridgeway Street in 1968.
"It is a testament to the wonderful loyalty, interest and affection that this theatre is held in by its audience. And to the great vibrancy, talent and skill of the many great artists – poets, writers, actors, musicians, directors, designers, backstage and administrative staff – that have worked in the Lyric over its many years.
"This year we plan to celebrate the past and look to the future by offering a programme of work that puts the community at its heart, that celebrates the transformative power of people power and the exuberant joy and intensity of creating art.
"The Lyric belongs to its audience and its artists. We look forward to continuing our dialogue, our performances and our adventures together for many years to come."
Highlights of the 2018 programme include their current production of The Threepenny Opera (final performances February 10), plus upcoming productions of Boucicault’s The Colleen Bawn (April), Friel's Lovers: Winners & Losers (May), Colin Carberry and Glenn Patterson's stage adaptation of their hit film Good Vibrations (September) and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: The Musical (November).
Other 50th celebrations will include a 'new playwrights' programme, over 15 visiting shows per month, new 'landmark' productions for both Belfast and international audiences, a series of In Conversation events profiling key figures associated with the Lyric in partnership with BBC NI’s The Arts Show and two celebratory gala events to be held in May and October.
The Lyric will also be gathering memories of its 50-year history and the shows it has put on over the years from the public to be added to an ongoing archive and exhibited later in the year and on social media.
:: Download the Lyric’s 50th season programme at Lyricbelfast.co.uk
