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The new £18.1m Lyric Theatre on Belfast’s River Lagan opened its doors at the weekend with a series of special events.
On Saturday, in the Naughton Studio, the opening ceremony included performances from actors Adrian Dunbar and Simon Callow, and concert pianist Barry Douglas. Braniel Primary School also performed an excerpt from one of the Creative Learning projects that the Lyric has delivered in partnership with local schools.
The Lyric’s Patron, Liam Neeson OBE, sent a message of support while filming on 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 Northern Bank Stage. 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 390 guests including Lyric alumni Ciaran Hinds, Conleth Hill and Brid Brennan took their seats for a gala performance of The Crucible, directed by Conall Morrison.
The Lyric is a landmark building signaling the continued regeneration of the city and is viewed by many as a catalyst for real progress in arts provision for artists and audiences alike.
(GK/KMcA)
