Project Blog

Artistic Director Richard Croxford with the Lyric's Patron Liam Neeson and Gerry Mallon, Chief Executive of Northern Bank

We were delighted to host a visit by our Patron, Liam Neeson, yesterday for a behind-the-scenes look at progress on site. He also met representatives of our new main stage sponsor – Northern Bank. And with building work nearing completion, we can finally confirm that the Lyric will reopen its doors on Sunday 1 May 2011 with a gala performance on the newly named Northern Bank Stage.

Gerry Mallon, Northern Bank Chief Executive said: “It makes perfect sense for a bank with such a long local history to partner with a theatre that enjoys such a rich and impressive heritage. Northern Bank is all about local people in local places, and this exciting partnership with the Lyric will support and nurture Northern Ireland talent. There is no doubt of the value of the arts to the local economy, to the local community and to visitors. This transformation of the Lyric is part of an enhanced infrastructure for the arts in both the city and the region. Seeing the stage take shape is part of the drama that is building around the new theatre. Like so many other people, we are eagerly awaiting the first performance on the Northern Bank Stage. It will be a very proud moment for all of us who share a commitment to this wonderful venue. We look forward to playing our part in supporting the Lyric to realise its ambitions.”

Lyric Trustee Sid McDowell with Liam Neeson, Gerry Mallon of Northern Bank and Mark Carruthers, Chairman of the Lyric

I recently had the tingling pleasure of walking right through the new theatre, from bottom to top, from dressing rooms up through stage and out onto roof. A year since my Threshold Stone visit, this is an emotional journey, its several years’ long making now melodeoned into these minutes. She is coming to life, and beguilingly close to being there. Thousands of meters of cable and ducting hang in anticipation of sockets and lights, the stage yearns for her players. She is beyond the dreams, and when she conjugates next spring with those both on and off the stage, she will blossom for decades and yield new delights to many thousands. We are all of us so lucky. A time to dance.

Neil Martin, Musician and Composer

The Lyric is celebrating a major success story after finally reaching its £18.1 million capital fundraising target. The appeal began in 2003 when the Lyric launched plans to build a new theatre on its riverbank site. The theatre’s Patron, Liam Neeson, has been closely involved from the outset, hosting fundraising dinners in Belfast, London and, most recently, in New York.

Welcoming the news, Liam Neeson said: “I am overjoyed at this extraordinary achievement and would like to thank the many generous individuals and organisations who have made this possible. I visited the new theatre recently and was incredibly impressed with the progress that has been made. Everyone who has donated to the campaign should feel very proud in the knowledge that they have helped to build a wonderful and lasting legacy for the people of Northern Ireland, which will continue to celebrate the great richness and diversity of our cultural life for generations to come.”

Professor Sir George Bain, Vice Chairman of the Lyric, said: “What the Lyric has achieved in fundraising terms is unrivalled in the history of Northern Ireland’s arts scene. This is a tremendously positive story, especially given the challenges presented by the current economic climate, and will enable us to build the world class theatre which Belfast and Northern Ireland needs and deserves. The new Lyric will stand tall in our skyline for generations to come, providing immense social, cultural and economic benefits for the community. I would like to thank all the visionary politicians, philanthropists and businesses who have weighed in behind us, and to pay particular tribute to my fellow fundraisers, Mark Carruthers and Angela McCloskey.”

During the capital campaign – the largest ever undertaken by an arts organisation in Northern Ireland – the Lyric has raised £6 million in private donations and sponsorships, including £1 million in donations from the United States, and over £12 million in public funding from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and Belfast City Council.

The performing arts in Northern Ireland scaled new heights today as the Lyric reached the highest point in the construction of its new theatre.

With the core building structure complete, the theatre has now cemented its place within a new Belfast skyline in its state-of-the-art home on Ridgeway Street.

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