Liam Neeson hosts New York fundraising dinner for Lyric Theatre
Liam Neeson hosted a private fundraising dinner last week in New York in aid of the Lyric Theatre, of which he is Patron. Special guests who turned out to show their support included actors Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn and Ciarán Hinds. The dinner was held at the Manhattan home of Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chairman of the American Ireland Fund, and guests included many leading philanthropists from the Irish American business community.
The evening included a presentation in music and readings about the Lyric, with performances by Brian Kennedy and double Tony nominee Conleth Hill, and a menu designed by Paul Rankin. Chairman of the Lyric, Mark Carruthers, joined Liam in urging guests to support the theatre’s fundraising campaign and help to transform Northern Ireland’s cultural landscape. The dinner was a resounding success and has raised nearly $400,000 (£250,000) so far. The theatre has to raise a total of £800,000 by June of this year to complete its capital campaign and secure a £500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation in Michigan.
The Lyric’s fundraising team has been working tirelessly since 2003 to raise the funds to build a fantastic new theatre for the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland. Support has come from a wide range of sources, including the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, private trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors and individual philanthropists. With nearly four times the floor space than in the original theatre, the Lyric’s new home will consist of a 394 seat main auditorium, a 150 seat studio theatre, a rehearsal room, extensive riverfront foyers and bar, dressing rooms, technical facilities and office accommodation. It will enable the Lyric to build upon its established role as a centre of regional excellence and position itself as an international class theatre company based in Northern Ireland.
Ciarán McAuley, Chief Executive of the Lyric Theatre commented: “We would really like to thank all the Lyric’s funders, sponsors and donors who have contributed to our fund raising campaign so far.”
To find out more about the Lyric and ways in which you can help its capital campaign, log on to www.supportthelyric.com.
ENDS
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