Belfast's Lyric Theatre is competing with more than 220 professional theatres around the UK for the prestigious accolade of Most Welcoming Theatre as part of the UK Theatre Awards.
This is the first year of this award category and the winner will be decided by a public vote via Classic FM’s website.
The Lyric has been a much-loved venue in Belfast since the 1960s and its approval rating has risen further since it reopened its award-winning new building two years ago. Regularly listed ahead of rival venues in the Top 15 attractions in Belfast on Tripadvisor, the Lyric has built a reputation for being a very welcoming theatre.
Among a string of theatre and architectural awards, the Lyric won ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award’ last year for its contribution to tourism and the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.
Mystery shopper reports consistently praise the Lyric for the warm welcome it gives:
Ciarán McAuley, Lyric Chief Executive, said: “The Lyric has built up a strong reputation for being a warm, welcoming theatre from booking your ticket on the phone or in person, through to our Front of House staff in the Café Bar and auditoria. We are competing with a lot of theatres across the UK for this accolade so we would encourage all customers and friends of the Lyric to get voting before the 30 September deadline.”
The prize-winning theatre on the banks of the River Lagan also has the highest standards for accessibility. Access dogs are allowed inside the auditorium and a free carer seat is available to those customers requiring essential assistance. There is also lift access to all floors; a choice of wheelchair spaces; infra-red audio enhancement and induction loops; and Captioned and Audio-Described performances for all Danske Bank Stage productions.
The Most Welcoming Theatre Award, in association with Classic FM, will be announced at the annual UK Theatre Awards ceremony in London’s historic Guildhall on Sunday 20 October. To ensure a fair and competitive process, the public voting system will be weighted by theatre capacity with the winner decided by number of public votes divided by number of venue seats.
Vote for the Lyric Theatre as the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre on the Classic FM website http://www.classicfm.com/theatre/. Voting closes at midnight on Monday 30 September.
This is the first year of this award category and the winner will be decided by a public vote via Classic FM’s website.
The Lyric has been a much-loved venue in Belfast since the 1960s and its approval rating has risen further since it reopened its award-winning new building two years ago. Regularly listed ahead of rival venues in the Top 15 attractions in Belfast on Tripadvisor, the Lyric has built a reputation for being a very welcoming theatre.
Among a string of theatre and architectural awards, the Lyric won ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award’ last year for its contribution to tourism and the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.
Mystery shopper reports consistently praise the Lyric for the warm welcome it gives:
- “The auditorium and facilities were of the highest order and the staff were helpful and welcoming.”
- “I was impressed with the friendliness of all staff that I encountered and would have little room for complaint at all.”
- “The staff were very pleasant, warm and friendly and the theatre had a really good ambience.”
Ciarán McAuley, Lyric Chief Executive, said: “The Lyric has built up a strong reputation for being a warm, welcoming theatre from booking your ticket on the phone or in person, through to our Front of House staff in the Café Bar and auditoria. We are competing with a lot of theatres across the UK for this accolade so we would encourage all customers and friends of the Lyric to get voting before the 30 September deadline.”
The prize-winning theatre on the banks of the River Lagan also has the highest standards for accessibility. Access dogs are allowed inside the auditorium and a free carer seat is available to those customers requiring essential assistance. There is also lift access to all floors; a choice of wheelchair spaces; infra-red audio enhancement and induction loops; and Captioned and Audio-Described performances for all Danske Bank Stage productions.
The Most Welcoming Theatre Award, in association with Classic FM, will be announced at the annual UK Theatre Awards ceremony in London’s historic Guildhall on Sunday 20 October. To ensure a fair and competitive process, the public voting system will be weighted by theatre capacity with the winner decided by number of public votes divided by number of venue seats.
Vote for the Lyric Theatre as the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre on the Classic FM website http://www.classicfm.com/theatre/. Voting closes at midnight on Monday 30 September.