The Lyric Theatre - The Ireland Funds

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On the banks of the Lagan River in Belfast, Brian Friel’s inspirational quote is posted on a sign overlooking the bricks and mortar that will soon be the new home of the Lyric Theatre. The theatre has stood as a beacon of hope and high artistic standards since the 1950s and, in the darkest days of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, was a place where messages of tolerance and peace were safely shared. Thanks in part to the generosity of The Ireland Funds’ donors, the Lyric Theatre is now preparing to move into a much-needed new space. The improved venue will house performance, studio and rehearsal areas. But just as exciting as the landmark architecture and beautiful acoustics of the new space is the ongoing work that the Lyric does for the entire community in Northern Ireland. Often called the “spiritual home” of such greats as Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, actor Liam Neeson and playwright Brian Friel, the Lyric is committed to bringing profound theatre experiences to those who might otherwise never be exposed to them. They deliver innovative programs to schools, prisons and segments of Northern Ireland society that would perhaps not venture into a theatre. And so, the Lyric goes to them. The Ireland Funds are proud to support the Lyric Theatre and are confident that the “epiphanies and revelations” of this next act have just begun. One of the many schools in Northern Ireland that benefits from the Lyric Theatre Photo by: Steffan Hill Photography
Over the yearsthe Lyric Theatre has been a place where artists and writers could come together, find a voice and challenge issues such as sectarianism and stereotypes. As Dan Gordon, actor, director and longtime supporter and trustee of the Lyric says, “Through plays, the Lyric engenders a forum about the issues we need to look at together as a community. We expose, we irritate and sometimes we illuminate.” Connect magazine sat down on stage with Dan as he prepared for a performance of ‘The Miser’ by Molière, to learn about the unique role the theatre plays in Northern Ireland. Dan Gordon, Actor / Director / Lyric Theatre Trustee Changing Mindsets I grew up in East Belfast in a working class family and my father was a worker in the shipyards. In 1977, I saw my first play here at the Lyric when I was 17 years old. It was the first time I had ever seen live theatre and I thought it was the most amazing thing. Well, I’ve been involved ever since. I stayed on because I wanted to be involved in plays about this place, about the people here. When you do a play here for locals, there is no hiding place on tough issues and conversations about the very place they live. The Lyric lets you be part of big ideas. Now, the theatre is passing that on to this next generation and I’ve seen it make a difference with my own eyes. What we are doing with schools and subsequently with the parents in the community is changing things. And if we can change the mindset of the young people, we can change everything. Laying Foundations I’ve written a series of six plays about heritage, community and history that acknowledge all the cultures here in Belfast. What we are doing is laying a foundation. We’re keen to write pieces that don’t have just one starring role where only one child can be the Annie or the Oliver. We are crafting plays that have 120 children in them. Even the shyest child can have a line and every child is involved. ‘Kissing the Shuttle’ highlighted the linen industry here in Belfast. What was magnificent was that in the audience we had 80 year olds that had worked in the mills, singing the songs along with the children. It was truly a community experience. The Lyric allowed us to do this in 12 schools all across Northern Ireland. We took it to Enniskillen, we were in Co. Down, and we were in Donegal. We got out of Belfast and kept going. This year, we did a play in Wheatfield Primary School. (Editor’s note: in 2001 this section of North Belfast saw riots and violence between the Catholic and Protestant communities over a 300 yard stretch of road that separates them. Things have improved but tensions still run high in the area.) The Holy Cross kids on the other side came over to see the play in the Wheatfield Primary School. That invitation increased interaction between both sides of the community. First and foremost we are a theatre, but it’s clear that building audiences builds other things in a community. The feedback we’ve received from the schools is tremendous. We’re not out there trying to make actors; we’re trying to make well-rounded people. Fighting With Words The Lyric also takes theatre into prisons, often encountering those who are in for life. We put on a production of ‘A Night in November’ which is based on a true story of the Greysteel killings. (Editor’s note: In 1993, members of a loyalist paramilitary group opened fire in a bar in Greysteel, Northern Ireland. It was assumed those who were there were Catholic since they were watching soccer on television. Eight civilians were killed and thirteen were wounded.) Two of the guys who were responsible for that shooting were in the audience. Who’s to say how it affected them, but they were there. As we performed I thought, ‘I don’t have a gun to fight these guys, but I can fight with them with words.’ People will sometimes say ‘oh it’s only a play’ but no, I say theatre has the potential to be much more powerful than that. The new building is going to be magnificent, but the sustainability afterwards will be the big need and the investment must continue. After the launch, what will be the second show? And the one after that? This is where we have the opportunity to do even more for this community. connect 2010 | 17
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The Lyric Theatre - The Ireland Funds

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