Thanks in large part to a Belfast City Council investment of ₤1.25m the demolition of Belfast's Lyric Theatre later today is a new start - and not the end of the iconic south Belfast stage - which though bowed is set to rise again in less than two years time.

Funding from their Cultural Legacy Fund, which was established in November last has been hailed as another example of the council working in partnership with central government and the private sector to enhance the cultural and social life of the city.

As well as the provision of a new showcase building, benefits will include an expansion of the theatre's outreach programme into the wider Belfast community.

Belfast City Council's cash means that the Lyric Theatre has now raised £16m out of the £17m required to build a new theatre on the existing Ridgeway Street site.

Other funders include the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, as well as private donors, trusts and foundations, and the corporate sector.

It is hoped that the final £1m will be raised before construction begins on the new theatre in summer 2008.

A new look multi-million pound Lyric, is scheduled to open for business on the same site at Ridgeway Street on the banks of the River Lagan in March 2010.

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Plans for the new theatre were chosen from 56 entries through an open design competition.

The theatre first opened in 1951 and moved to its present premises about 20 years later.

However, ongoing problems with the buildings and dated facilities led to a decision to close it.

The Lyric Players began in 1951 in the home of founding members Dr Pearse and Mary O'Malley. Their vision for a purpose-built producing theatre was finally realised with the opening of the Lyric in 1968.

It has been an integral part of Northern Ireland's community and cultural life for the last four decades. Many talented actors, directors, designers and playwrights found a creative and spiritual home here.

"We are delighted that Belfast City Council will be a major founding partner in the redevelopment of one of Belfast's leading cultural institutions," Lyric Chairman, Mark Carruthers said at the time.

"The social, cultural and economic benefits from Council’s investment in the new theatre will be enormous. This will be a landmark building and a source of great civic pride to the people of Belfast.

"It's wonderful that the councillors share our vision for what will be a lasting legacy for current and future generations of young people from throughout the city.

The Lyric has 'made' some major names in its 50-year history, including some who now seek to give something back. Hollywood film star, Ballymena-born Liam Neeson has consistently promoted Belfast's Lyric Theatre.

Speaking at a fund-raising New York dinner three years ago, the actor said that the theatre on Ridgeway Street was then in a "very dilapidated condition".

The Oscar-nominated actor, whose films include Schindler's List, Michael Collins and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, said: "The Lyric is too important to the cultural and social life of Northern Ireland for this building to crumble and fall apart."

The last public performance in the 'last' Lyric theatre season took place on Sunday 13 January, but that was far from being the final curtain.

In May, it produced a major project showcasing one of Belfast’s best-known playwrights in a two-play retrospective as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival.

See: Grant Boost Continues Lyrical Success

(BMcC)