American Friends of the Lyric champion 'Agreement' at the Irish Arts Center, New York
On Thursday 11th April, we had a very special event in New York for the American Friends of the Lyric generously hosted by the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, supported by Northern Ireland Bureau.
The event was held to say 'Thank You' to the Lyric's American Friends, and to celebrate the very first performance of the Lyric production of Agreement in the US at the Irish Arts Center.
Since 2004, The American Friends of the Lyric have been supporting the work of the Lyric, raising capital funds for the new building, and supporting our wider work both at home and away. Our work with the American Friends has been led by our Board, our Patron Liam Neeson, and supported by Maebeth Fenton Martin, Honorary President of the American Friends of the Lyric.
We were joined by VIP actors Geraldine Hughes & Aidan Quinn, Oscar-winning director Terry George, Young American Friend Danny Neeson, writer Owen McCafferty & director Charlie Westenra, and a host of Friends and supporters from far and wide. Actors Liam Neeson, Ciarán Hinds, Roisin Gallagher, Tara-Lynne O'Neill, Zara Devlin, Ian McElhinney, Rachel Tucker, and artist Colin Davidson also sent video messages of support for the theatre.
In a very special (cucumber) twist, Danny Neeson created a bespoke cocktail for the event from his new tequila brand De-Nada Tequila called ‘The Lyric’.
Agreement is the second production in less than 12 months that the Lyric has showcased in New York, highlighting just some of the immense creative talent Belfast and Northern Ireland has to offer. Our 2023 production of Good Vibrations played to audiences at the Irish Arts Centre, New York last May to July, receiving critical appraisal including the acclaimed New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Our success and achievements in bringing top-quality Northern Irish theatre to the US has been made possible thanks to our wonderful producing partners at the Irish Arts Center, and to a host of funders and Friends;
- Arts Council of Northern Ireland
- Belfast City Council
- Tourism Ireland
- FinTrU
- Queen's University Belfast
- NI Bureau
- Fitzpatrick Hotel
- Cathal Moore
- De-Nada Tequila
In addition, Agreement at the IAC was made possible in part through season-wide support for the IAC from Culture Ireland, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Howard Gilman Foundation, lead sponsorship from the Jerome L. Greene Foundation and supporting sponsorship from Tourism Ireland, and generous support from FinTrU, NI Bureau and Invest NI.
Agreement runs at the Irish Arts Centre, New York from 11th April until 12th May 2024.
Photography by James Higgins NYC
