Meet Our New Resident Playwright - Dominic Montague

Dominic is a theatre maker and playwright based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has worked across stage, site-specific production, audio drama and film. Dominic also has a passion for exploring LGBTQ+ narratives and stories from within our culture. His most recent work includes Callings (Kabosh, 2022), Calling The Corners (Outburst Queer Arts Festival, 2021), Real Talk: New Speak Reimagined (Lyric Theatre, 2020).

Dominic has said:

"I am delighted to be joining the Lyric as playwright in residence, having previously worked together on Newspeak Reimagined and the venue staging my most recent show 'Callings'. It's an honour to join the list of those writers and theatre makers who have collaborated with the Lyric in the telling of stories. Today, when the arts, and artists, face ever increasing pressures (a situation that has long since stopped being novel) I'm reminded more and more of the importance of stories. Stories that dig down into the places we've been, stories that give us the space to imagine where we're going. Over the coming year I look forward to working with the Lyric and other story tellers in developing new work that is passionate, compassionate, and vital for the world we share today."

Dominic will work closely with our Literary Manager, Rebecca Mairs, who has said:

"Dom is one of the most prolific, exciting, and innovative artists working in Northern Ireland today and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him in residence this year as he creates a new theatre piece. His highly collaborative, curious, and multidisciplinary approach results in uniquely entertaining and though-provoking theatrical experiences and we’re looking forward to supporting him in whatever way we can in developing his ideas and his craft.

Thank you to Karis Kelly for her immense contribution to the work of the New Work department last year – we really look forward to growing our relationship with her as she continues to develop the play she wrote as part of her attachment last year. And last but not least, huge thanks to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Peggy Ramsay Foundation and Film4 for continuing to champion Northern Irish writers."

We also want to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Resident Playwright, Karis Kelly, who took up the position last year supported by The Peggy Ramsay / Film4 Award 2021.

Having been nominated by the Lyric for her play Consumed, Karis was one of six people selected for the prestigious Peggy Ramsay / Film4writing bursary, previously won by drama heavyweights Martin McDonagh and Conor McPherson. Her play then went on to win 2022’s Women's Prize for Playwriting. During her residency, Karis became an integral part of the New Work team: she brought her considerable skill and enthusiasm as lead artist in our British Council funded collaboration with Rage Productions Mumbai, Writing Without Borders, expertly guiding eight Irish and Indian writers in the creation of eight new short plays and facilitating much fruitful cross-border sharing. She also initiated a new project aimed at new writers over the age of fifty, supporting and encouraging them as they made their first forays into writing for theatre.