The Lyric Theatre is delighted to announce the continuation of its partnership with The Fishmongers’ Company, London, offering bursaries to support Drama Studio alumni as they take the next step in their theatre careers.
This year Conor Joyce, Aebh McKenna, Mark William McIlhagga and Evie O'Sullivan received bursaries to support the next steps of their drama school journey.
The Lyric–Fishmongers Bursaries provide significant and vital financial support to young people from Northern Ireland who are pursuing training in the performing arts. Awarded through the Lyric’s Drama Studio, the bursaries help with the practical costs of moving away from home and beginning or continuing specialist study, ensuring that talent and not financial circumstances determine opportunity.
The Lyric Drama Studio builds on its strong connections with Drama Schools across the UK and Ireland, giving participants direct access to students and teachers from leading institutions including RADA, Royal Welsh College, The Lir and the Royal Conservatoire. This support helps them make informed choices about applications and their future careers in acting.
In the past 10 years, over 80 alumni from Lyric Drama Studio have successfully gained a place to train at Drama Schools across the UK and Ireland, with many more going directly into the industry to work. Previous alumni include:
- Anthony Boyle (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Masters of the Air and Manhunt)
- Desmond Eastwood (Normal People, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, Blue Lights)
- Katherine Devlin (Blue Lights)
- Zara Devlin (Sing Street, Translations and Small Things Like These)
- Michael Patrick (My Left Nut, The Tragedy of Richard III)
Each year Lyric-Fishmongers Bursary Applicants undergo a two-stage process, sharing their ambitions and their passion for the arts.
For many of the bursary recipients, the Lyric has been a transformative stepping stone in their acting career:
- “I never thought I would ever go to university, let alone drama school. I didn’t even know such a place existed until I came to the Lyric.”
- “During my time with Drama Studio I realised I have a passion for directing. I hope to hone these skills and build the confidence to direct my own short film.”
The collaboration between The Fishmongers’ Company and The Lyric Theatre plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of actors, directors and theatre-makers from Northern Ireland.