Gala Opening of the New Lyric Theatre
Brian Friel and Mark Carruthers at the Gala Opening of the Lyric Theatre
The new £18.1m Lyric Theatre on Belfast’s River Lagan finally opened its doors at the weekend with a series of special events to mark the occasion. On Saturday, a presentation in the Naughton Studio included contributions from actors Adrian Dunbar, Simon Callow, concert pianist Barry Douglas, and children from Braniel Primary School. The Lyric’s Patron, Liam Neeson OBE, sent a message from his filming 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.”
On Sunday, celebrated playwright Brian Friel officially opened the theatre. He 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 opening celebrations were attended by many of the generous individuals, corporates, trusts and foundations who supported the theatre’s capital campaign, along with the architects and representatives from the arts community, including actors Ciaran Hinds, Conleth Hill, Stella McCusker, Dan Gordon, Simon Callow, Adrian Dunbar and Brid Brennan. Guests were given the opportunity to look around the fantastic new building before taking their seats for a gala performance of ‘The Crucible’, directed by Conall Morrison.
Simon Callow, Mark Carruthers and Adrian Dunbar mark the Gala Opening of the new Lyric
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