Brief History of the Lyric
A shared passion for theatre, poetry and the arts gave birth to the Lyric Players in 1951, marking the beginnnings of one of the most significant movements in Northern Ireland's cultural history. Creativity and vision knew no bounds as the company defied the confines of space to stage an inspiring and innovative range of verse plays in the window recess of the consulting room at the home of founding members Dr Pearse and Mary O’Malley at 117 Lisburn Road. In 1952 a studio space was developed in a narrow, converted stable loft at the O’Malley’s new home in Derryvolgie Avenue where local audiences enjoyed the work of dramatists who were rarely, if ever, staged in the commercial theatre.
An Amazing Ensemble of Talent
Over the next sixteen years the group and its activities rapidly expanded to include regular poetry recitals, lectures, art exhibitions, a crafts gallery, publishing and a music and drama school for children. Many of Northern Ireland’s finest artists, writers and performers joined forces with the O’Malleys during this extraordinary period of artistic growth, including Seamus Heaney, John Boyd, Deborah Brown, TP Flanagan, John Hewitt, Denis Johnston, Basil Blackshaw, Raymond Pyper, Gladys Maccabe, Alice Berger Hammerschlag and Helen Lewis.
Tales of the Riverbank
The Lyric Players’ first purpose-built theatre on Ridgeway Street opened its doors to the public in 1968. It remains the only producing theatre in Northern Ireland. For generations, the River Lagan has played an important role in the historical development of Belfast as a city, and the founders of the Lyric Theatre were amongst the first to realise that the river was not only a valuable asset for the city but also, in divided times, an important symbol of civic unity.
An Illustrious Alumni
The Lyric has been an integral part of Northern Ireland’s cultural life for the last four decades. Liam Neeson, Ciarán Hinds, Conleth Hill, Stella McCusker, Adrian Dunbar, Dan Gordon, Louis Roulston, Marie Jones and Martin Lynch are just some of the many hundreds of well loved actors and playwrights who found a creative and spiritual home at the Lyric. There have been many dramatic highlights. Dockers, The Flats, We Do It For Love, A Night In November and The Hidden Curriculum are among the many seminal productions that have played to packed houses and provided a unique commentary on contemporary social issues.