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16/12/2011
Theatre 'Waxing Lyrical' Over Audiences
In the six months since opening upwards of 40,000 theatregoers have enjoyed the newly named Northern Bank Stage of Belfast's Lyric Theatre, it was revealed on Thursday.
A string of hard-hitting plays and star performances have contributed to the success of the main auditorium and focal point of the new £18.1m replacement Lyric Theatre.
Ciaran McAuley, Chief Executive Lyric Theatre, (pictured here with Rosamond Bennett, Head of Communications Northern Bank), welcomed the news of the 'star' attendances since the Lyric re-opened in May.
While crowd-pleasing musicals including The Jungle Book attracted a healthy following, it was the French farce The Painkiller starring Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon and The Crucible starring Catherine Cusack that received the most acclaim and attracted the best audience figures to the Lyric's main stage.
Ciarán McAuley attributes the record audience figures to the quality of the productions: "With performances from stars of both the small and big screens, amazing playwrights and production teams, the sheer quality of the performances on offer have made the Northern Bank Stage the entertainment venue for theatre-goers across the city and beyond who are looking for a great night out.
"With audience figures reaching over 40,000 to date, we are already looking forward to the new year and are confident that the stage will continue to attract record audience figures," he said.
Rosamond Bennett said of the partnership: "Our investment in the Northern Bank Stage has been a great success with customers and staff alike.
"It is particularly encouraging that despite the squeeze on household incomes, theatre fans across Northern Ireland have, in their thousands, become regular visitors to the Lyric Theatre and have responded with such enthusiasm to the outstanding productions on the Northern Bank Stage. It is very rewarding to be in partnership with a venue that is such a vibrant part of Belfast's night time economy."
(BMcC/GK)
A string of hard-hitting plays and star performances have contributed to the success of the main auditorium and focal point of the new £18.1m replacement Lyric Theatre.
Ciaran McAuley, Chief Executive Lyric Theatre, (pictured here with Rosamond Bennett, Head of Communications Northern Bank), welcomed the news of the 'star' attendances since the Lyric re-opened in May.
While crowd-pleasing musicals including The Jungle Book attracted a healthy following, it was the French farce The Painkiller starring Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon and The Crucible starring Catherine Cusack that received the most acclaim and attracted the best audience figures to the Lyric's main stage.
Ciarán McAuley attributes the record audience figures to the quality of the productions: "With performances from stars of both the small and big screens, amazing playwrights and production teams, the sheer quality of the performances on offer have made the Northern Bank Stage the entertainment venue for theatre-goers across the city and beyond who are looking for a great night out.
"With audience figures reaching over 40,000 to date, we are already looking forward to the new year and are confident that the stage will continue to attract record audience figures," he said.
Rosamond Bennett said of the partnership: "Our investment in the Northern Bank Stage has been a great success with customers and staff alike.
"It is particularly encouraging that despite the squeeze on household incomes, theatre fans across Northern Ireland have, in their thousands, become regular visitors to the Lyric Theatre and have responded with such enthusiasm to the outstanding productions on the Northern Bank Stage. It is very rewarding to be in partnership with a venue that is such a vibrant part of Belfast's night time economy."
(BMcC/GK)
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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.
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.
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.
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.
20 May 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.
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.
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.
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.
29 April 2011
Lyric Makes Its Debut Today
An international architectural competition held almost eight years ago will today come to fruition as Belfast's newly rebuilt Lyric Theatre opens for the doors in time for its first performance. In 2003, the winners were declared as O'Donnell and Tuomey - taking the lead from 56 entries as the architects to design the new theatre facility.
Lyric Makes Its Debut Today
An international architectural competition held almost eight years ago will today come to fruition as Belfast's newly rebuilt Lyric Theatre opens for the doors in time for its first performance. In 2003, the winners were declared as O'Donnell and Tuomey - taking the lead from 56 entries as the architects to design the new theatre facility.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
