We invite audiences to take a seat, tune in and enjoy an exclusive ‘first listen’ of brand-new work from emerging, established and new Northern Ireland writers. ‘Listen at the Lyric’ is part of the theatre’s continued commitment to keeping the spirit of the Lyric alive whilst its doors remain closed due to the impact of the pandemic.
Whilst the autumn/ winter programme celebration of new writing is unable to take to the stage this year; the Lyric has opened its door to welcome cast and creative teams to record a series of audio versions of three dynamic new works. ‘Listen at the Lyric’ is proud to announce:
The Gap Year by Belfast based writer Clare McMahon: Kate, Roisin and Oonagh decide enough is enough, life is too short - sure didn’t Kate’s husband drop dead in the bread aisle of Lidl? They’re going to follow in their children’s footsteps and take a Gap Year. Thailand? Europe? Down Under? No, they’re going to visit every county in Ireland, sure there are a few they’ve never even heard of?
Burnt Out by Belfast writer Gary Mitchell: This dark psychological thriller follows a couple as their perfect life unravels into a disorientating nightmare of suspicion, paranoia, and intimidation when they unwittingly move to a new home opposite a bonfire site.
2050 Under the Albert Clock; A selection of short plays from Northern Ireland’s most dynamic female playwrights: 2050 Under the Albert Clock is a series of monologues that will be released in two parts on 27th Oct and the 10th Nov. Originally commissioned for the Origins 1st Irish Festival in New York in January 2020, these monologues are set in a Belfast of the future and showcase some of Northern Ireland's most dynamic female writers - Sarah Gordon, Emily Dedakis, Gina Donnelly, Alice Malseed, and Finn Kennedy.
Looking forward to the ‘first listen’ of new writing on ‘Listen at the Lyric’ Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer Lyric Theatre Belfast, said:
“ Whilst our doors remain closed, we are still deeply committed to connecting with and remaining accessible to all our audiences as well as supporting those working within the industry. ‘Listen at the Lyric’ is our continued response to adapting to the current situation ensuring that new writing is given a platform to be heard and celebrated. Even though we continue to operate in a very challenging climate, we are very excited to provide audiences with the opportunity to get an exclusive, first listen to these wonderful audio pieces of new work from Northern Irish writers. Until we can safely bring these plays to our stage; we invite everyone to turn on, tune in, enjoy and celebrate this wonderful creative talent.”
Caoileann Curry-Thompson Arts Development Officer from Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Principal funder of Lyric Theatre, commented:
“In these uncertain times we’re missing the connection we get from live performance, and needing its solace, clarity and provocations more than ever. True to form, the Lyric is keeping with its audience and offering it new, exciting, dramatic experiences. The theatre that famously never closed its doors during the Troubles is responding to current restrictions on opening with the agility and creativity which is its hallmark. It brings us a triptych of new work, each unique, challenging and exciting and which includes the Belfast theatrical rapscallion Gary Mitchell, sandwiched between some brave, scintillating new female voices. With audio drama we can all journey together in our imaginations, and come together in the soundscape world of ‘Listen to the Lyric’, I can’t wait.”
‘Listen at the Lyric’ is available to listen at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk on the following dates: The Gap Year 29th Sept – 12th Oct; Burnt Out 13th Oct -26th Oct; 2050 under the Albert Clock part one 27th Oct - 9th Nov and 2050 under the Albert Clock part two 10th Nov – 23rd Nov. Tickets are on sale at a standard price of £6 with optional donation tickets available at £12 and £20 to support the Lyric in continuing to produce great theatre during the pandemic. #SaveTheArts #SaveOurTheatres #LyricOnline.