20/05/2010

New Lyric Lays Solid Foundation

As Belfast's iconic Lyric Theatre continues its run of plays in its temporary home at the Elmwood Hall, a major milestone has (literally - given the literary inscription) been passed.

The laying of the old Lyric Theatre's foundation stone in the new theatre, (also being built on the original Ridgeway Street location) has taken place.

In advance of its planned re-opening - due in the spring of next year - a small piece of history was this week enacted at the Laganside building site.

Lyric Chief Executive Ciaran McAuley is shown here with Trustee and actor/director Dan Gordon marking the occasion of the re-laying of the old Lyric Theatre's original Foundation Stone into the new theatre.

With nearly four times the floor space than in the original theatre, the Lyric's new home will consist of a 394 seat main auditorium, a 150 seat studio theatre, a rehearsal room, extensive riverfront foyers and bar, dressing rooms, technical facilities and office accommodation.

This week, Dan Gordon said: "The inscription on the stone is 'Look up in the sun's eye'," which he explained is a direct quote from the final stanza of WB Yeats' long-winded, but appropriately titled poem 'To A Wealthy Man Who Promised A Second Subscription To The Dublin Municipal Gallery If It Were Proved The People Wanted Pictures'.

Meanwhile, as this major milestone is passed (and the original stone laid), the current production of 'The Miser', a raunchy comedy by Molière runs to Saturday 29 May before going on tour.

See: www.lyrictheatre.co.uk/whatson

See: Neeson Hosts US Lyric Theatre Fundraiser

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 June 2008
Lyric Stoops To Conquer
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.
23 July 2012
Lyric Theatre Shortlisted For Architecture Prize
A new £18m theatre in Belfast has been short-listed for the 2012 Stirling Prize in architecture. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) put the new Lyric Theatre in the running for the £20,000 prize, alongside London's Olympic Stadium and Maggie's cancer centre in Glasgow.
17 August 2011
Lyric's Launches Theatre School
NI's Lyric Theatre is launching a year-round training programme called Theatre School in September offering a suite of drama programmes for budding thespians. No previous experience is required and entry into each programme is set by age.
14 March 2011
Lyric Theatre To Open With Miller
Belfast's much missed Lyric Theatre is to re-open on 1 May, and early announcements are already causing quite a lot of excitement. The theatre will open with a gala performance of Arthur Miller's influential play, The Crucible. The play examining the hellish Salem witchcraft trials is viewed as one of the greatest plays ever written.
17 December 2010
Northern Bank 'Sets Scene' For Lyric
The Lyric Theatre has announced a major funding boost as details of a five-year partnership with Northern Bank were revealed at an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the new theatre. Building work is nearing completion and the Lyric will reopen its doors on Sunday 1 May 2011 with a gala performance on the newly named Northern Bank Stage.