Waste Busters the Eco-Musical - 2026

Spring 2026, the Lyric Theatre's Creative Learning Department is making magic happen in schools right across Northern Ireland and this time, it comes with a very important message. A five-week tour of Waste Busters is set to reach over 4,000 pupils before wrapping up on 20th March 2026.

Waste Busters the Eco-Musical is touring primary schools in 11 council areas across Northern Ireland, bringing a brilliant, high-energy show directly into classrooms. Written and composed by Rebecca Applin, this short but mighty musical tackles one of the biggest environmental issues of 2026, plastic pollution, littering, and the urgent need to reduce, reuse and recycle. And it does so in the most joyful, engaging way possible.

The production is more than just great entertainment. Waste Busters is devised to bring the World Around Us curriculum to life in a way that no textbook ever quite can. By weaving together song, storytelling and performance, the show helps young people genuinely connect with environmental issues that affect all of us.

The tour launched with a special performance at the Lyric's own Naughton Studio, welcoming Key Stage Two pupils alongside a very important guest, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, whose department has made this whole project possible.

Supported by DAERA's Carrier Bag Levy Fund

Waste Busters the Eco-Musical is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) through its Carrier Bag Levy Fund — meaning those 5p charges on your shopping bags are genuinely going towards something wonderful.

Minister Muir was clearly moved by what he saw at the launch performance. He said:

"I am delighted to have seen the Waste Busters Eco-Musical and thoroughly enjoyed watching this vibrant performance. Carrier Bag Levy funding from my Department is supporting this creative approach to improve school children's understanding about waste and recycling, with the aim of instilling behaviour change across Northern Ireland.

A Fourth Year of Collaboration

This is not the first time the Lyric and DAERA have joined forces. Erin Hoey, Head of Creative Learning at the Lyric Theatre, shared her delight at the project returning for another year:

"We are delighted to be partnering with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, for the fourth consecutive year, to deliver this exciting project to primary school audiences. Waste Busters the Eco-Musical will tour to schools across Northern Ireland bringing a unique opportunity to learn about important environmental issues in an engaging, memorable way."

Theatre That Removes Barriers

At the heart of everything the Creative Learning team does is a commitment to making theatre accessible to everyone. Not every child has the opportunity to visit a theatre, so the Lyric brings the theatre to them.

For many of the young people watching Waste Busters this spring, it will be their very first live theatre experience. The Creative Learning Department works tirelessly to ensure that geography, budget or circumstance is never a barrier to a child experiencing the transformative power of live performance.

The cast bringing this production to life includes Shane Ferris, Ellen Conway, Louis Millar and Lucy O'Hara, supported by a dedicated crew and creative team who have poured their talents into making Waste Busters a show to remember. Rebecca Applin, who both wrote and composed the musical, is also on board as Musical Director, with Tom Fox directing.

CAST
Shane Ferris
Ellen Conway
Louis Millar
Lucy O’Hara

CREW
Amy Smyth- Stage Manager
Ryan Bentley – Technician
Rick Thomas – Design and prop maker
Kerri Stokes – Assistant Stage Manager

CREATIVES
Rebecca Applin – Composer + Musical Director
Tom Fox – Director
Lynda Thompson-Spack – Associate Costume Designer
Sarah Lyle– Puppeteer
Ellen McCormick– Producer
Claire Hamilton – Creative Learning administrator