Six Years of Wastebusters At The Lyric!

Sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Wastebusters aims to raise awareness of littering and plastic pollution and encourage the next generation to help protect the environment, with a focus on environmental issues like the impact of plastic pollution in Northern Ireland.

This tour will mark the sixth consecutive year of DAERA’s support of shows with the Lyric, with the remarkable feedback from schools leading to this third run of the short musical written and composed by Rebecca Applin.

With responses from teachers such as;

‘The acting, singing and genius choreography, staging, props with all the limitations they had was superb. They performed as if it was to a West End audience with the same passion and commitment… Most importantly of course, it’s really impacted their views on what they do with waste. I’ve noticed a total change in the classroom with children asking me if something can be recycled and some children bringing their snacks in in Tupperware to reduce waste.

Thanks so much. The musical was proof how the arts can change hearts and minds like no other!’

Rowandale Integrated Primary School - Moira

We thoroughly enjoyed having the team in and watching wastebusters! The kids are still singing the songs!

Loanends Primary School – Crumlin

Waste Busters was created by the Lyric Theatre Creative Learning Team; bringing the theatre experience right into the classroom, supporting teachers and inspiring young people.

We were delighted to welcome representatives from DAERA to the Lyric on 5^th March to enjoy performances from the cast alongside pupils from Holy Rosary Primary School and Park Special Education School Belfast.

DAERA representative Ruth Clarke said:

“This is a wonderful example of funding from the Carrier Bag Levy supporting an environmental project that continues to improve school children’s understanding of waste prevention issues and promote behaviour change within their schools and families across Northern Ireland.”

Naomh Cullen, Deputy Creative Learning Manager at Lyric Theatre, has said:

“We are delighted to have once again partnered with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to deliver this exciting project to primary school audiences. ‘Waste Busters the Eco-Musical’ is a unique opportunity to learn about important environmental issues in an engaging, memorable way. And we are delighted to have worked with a fantastic cast and crew to deliver a show of such high quality to such a staggering number of children across Northern Ireland.”

“Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!”

For further information on Lyric Creative Learning visit our Creative Learning page

CAST:

Matthew Muholland

Eleanor Shannon

Eimear O’Neill

Richard Galloway

CREW:

David Willis - Stage Manager

Ryan Bentley - Technician

Rick Thomas Payne – Assistant Stage Manager, Design and prop maker

Lynda Thompson-Spack – Costume Coordinator

CREATIVES:

Rebecca Applin – Composer + Musical Director

Kathy Moore – Director

Maeve McGreevy – Movement Director

Naomh Cullen – Producer

Claire Preston – Creative Learning Administrator