Description
The Lyric Theatre began an exciting new chapter in its history on 1 May 2011 when it opened its stunning new building on the leafy banks of the River Lagan in south Belfast. The £18.1m state-of-the-art theatre is not only a magnificent addition to Northern Ireland’s cultural landscape but a breath-taking symbol of a new city emerging confidently from its troubled past.
Almost three times the size of the old theatre, the new building is 5,026 metres square or 54,164 square feet, and has three distinct areas:
• The 389 seat auditorium, the Danske Bank Stage, is the main performance area, providing an extra 90 seats in a single steep rake. The intimacy of the old theatre remains as the body of the audience is not broken by balconies or barriers ensuring actors and audience share the same space.
• A second performance studio, the Naughton Studio, accommodates between 110 and 150 people, can be adapted to suit any performance style and is primarily used for receiving work.
• The third space is a rehearsal room the same size as the main auditorium stage.
• The Café Bar has stunning views over the River Lagan and is open seven days a week for lunch, Sunday brunch and snacks throughout the day.
As the cradle of drama in Northern Ireland which has nurtured the careers of the theatre’s esteemed Patron, Liam Neeson, and fellow Hollywood heavyweight, Ciaran Hinds, the Lyric has a thriving creative learning department providing opportunities for young people to learn a range of theatre crafts.
Producing high quality professional theatre is the Lyric’s core business and this distinguishes it from every other theatre venue in the region. It employs local and visiting practitioners to create artistic product that is unique to Northern Ireland.
55 Ridgeway Street, Stranmillis,Belfast BT9 5FB,Co. Antrim