Kenneth Branagh supports Lyric’s final fundraising push
Belfast-born actor, writer and director, Kenneth Branagh, first made his mark on local audiences in the 1980s with his powerful portrayal of the title role in Graham Reid’s Billy Plays. Branagh, who plays the title role in the popular BBC detective series Wallander, has offered his personal support to the Lyric at a critical stage in the fundraising campaign. The Lyric Theatre has to raise £150,000 within the next four weeks in order to secure a £500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation in Michigan, USA.
Ken said: “There is an enormous wealth of creative talent in Northern Ireland, and I have worked with many great actors, directors and writers throughout my career who learned their craft at the Lyric. Young artists need the creative and spiritual home which the Lyric provides – a crucible in which they can experiment, innovate, take risks, and push boundaries. And for audiences, nothing can beat the thrill of great live theatre. I hope that everyone gives the Lyric the support that it truly deserves, and I look forward to seeing the new theatre stand tall in Belfast’s new skyline.”
This will be a nail-biting finish to a long-running capital campaign, launched in 2003, to raise the funds to build a new state-of-the-art producing theatre for the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland. The Lyric is appealing for help from the public and the business community to help get the project over the line by the challenge deadline of 30 June.
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