The Lyric Theatre is celebrating following a host of critically acclaimed reviews for its latest major production, The Tragedy of Richard III. The production is currently playing at the Lyric Theatre as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival and is running until 10 November 2024.
Adapted from the original Shakespeare classic by Michael Patrick and Oisín Kearney, this re-imagining of unrelenting ambition and bloody betrayal also highlights the resilience and complexity of individuals living with disabilities, both on and off the stage. In a powerful reflection of Michael Patrick’s own lived experience, Richard has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and is navigating life with a new disability. His determined quest to take the crown comes not only from a desire to leave his mark on the world but also from a deep defiance against the cruel fate that has shaped his life.
The audience response at last Wednesday’s opening night was palpable, and the reviews have been rolling in, including a 5-star review in The Stage:
“A landmark, intensely moving central performance dominates this tantalising revisioning of Shakespeare’s great history play…” - The Stage ★★★★★
“A richly human portrayal of power, ambition, and fate…the adaptation is a powerful reflection on both Shakespeare’s timeless themes and contemporary issues of disability and identity.” - Love Belfast
“carries Shakespeare’s classic themes of betrayal, death, and ambition, yet brings a modernisation that reflects our everyday realities and the devastation of living with a terminal illness.” - Arts Dispatch ★★★★
“Entertaining, energetic, and soulful.” - British Theatre Guide
“Bold, ambitious, worthy of the name.” - Belfast Times
“A whip-smart adaptation…A testament to how disability can be very naturally and inclusively incorporated into theatre.”- Alan in Belfast
The Tragedy of Richard III is directed by Oisín Kearney, with two disabled actors playing the lead, and a Deaf artist taking on the role of Tyrell. The production features a stellar cast: Michael Patrick and Zak Ford-Williams (Richard), Paula Clarke (Tyrell), Ghaliah Conroy (Lady Anne), Michael Curran Dorsano (Hastings), Allison Harding (Duchess of York), Patrick McBrearty (Buckingham), Charlotte McCurry (Queen Elizabeth), Chris McCurry (Stanley), and Ciaran O’Brien (Clarence).
Thanks to a recent fundraiser, the Lyric has ensured that all actors have the necessary support to fully participate in this production. This includes a full-time BSL interpreter, backstage support and providing fully accessible transport and accommodation.
Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer of Lyric Theatre Belfast, said:
"We are elated with the fantastic reviews The Tragedy of Richard III has received. It is testament to the immense talent across the whole production team to achieve this acclaim. What is also exciting is how this production continues from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and represents another milestone in our work on accessibility and inclusion, as well as being a 5-star unmissable and thrilling night at the theatre.”
The Lyric Theatre is supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery funding and Belfast City Council. The Access costs for The Tragedy of Richard III have been supported by KPMG, Department for Communities, John and Jackie D’Arcy, and Harriott Communications.
Agreement is the second collaboration with the IAC in less than 12 months following a hugely successful US premiere last summer of the Lyric’s punk rock musical Good Vibrations (the story of Belfast’s godfather of punk Terri Hooley).
Earlier this month, the Lyric held a special event in New York to celebrate the very first performance of the Lyric production of Agreement in the US and to say 'Thank You' to the Lyric's American Friends. Guests in attendance included Danny Neeson, actors Geraldine Hughes and Aidan Quinn and director Terry George. Since 2004, The American Friends of the Lyric have been supporting the work of the theatre, raising capital funds for the theatre and supporting projects both at home and away. The American Friends is led by Lyric Patron Liam Neeson and Honorary President Maebeth Fenton Martin.
Agreement won three BroadwayWorld Ireland awards and a PRide Gold Award for its PR campaign in 2023. It is directed by Charlotte Westenra, with set and costume design by Conor Murphy. The cast includes: Andrea Irvine (Mo Mowlam), Chris Corrigan (Gerry Adams), Dan Gordon (John Hume), Martin Huston (Tony Blair), Richard Croxford (George Mitchell), Ronan Leahy (Bertie Ahern) and Ruairi Conaghan (David Trimble).
Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer Lyric Theatre, said:
"We are elated with the fantastic reviews Agreement has received in NYC. It is testament to the immense talent across the whole production team to achieve this acclaim. We are also delighted to continue our partnership with the Irish Arts Center. Their support has been vital in helping us showcase this incredible place and our story to a transatlantic audience, especially in NYC. We are also very grateful to all our funders for their support in helping us get there.”
The Lyric Theatre is supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery funding and Belfast City Council. The Lyric production of Agreement is supported by Tourism Ireland, FinTrU, Queen’s University Belfast and NI Bureau, with additional support by Culture Ireland, The Ireland Funds, The Irish American Partnership, Jerome L. Greene Foundation, Invest NI, The Howard Gilman Foundation, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and Georganne Aldrich Heller.
