Join and Support
The Lyric Theatre Belfast is proud to run as a not-for-profit registered charity, welcoming over 100,000 audience members and 15,000 young people in education programmes through our doors annually.
As Northern Ireland’s only full-time producing theatre, The Lyric Theatre has been at the heart of Belfast’s cultural landscape since 1951, but like many charitable organisations, we rely on much more than just ticket sales alone.
Beyond our box office revenue, we depend on sponsorship, donations, corporate partnerships, and our valued Lyric+ members to fundraise an additional £2 million annually.
Securing this vital funding ensures we can:
- Continue delivering world-class productions to over 110,000 audience members every year
- Nurture emerging Northern Irish talent through our Creative Learning programmes
- Support artist development
- Provide employment to the arts sector of Northern Ireland
- Action accessibility and sustainability projects
- Make a lasting impact in the community, transforming lives of over 15,000 young people every year
We value our commitment to being A Playhouse for All. Support from our Patrons in Belfast and beyond enables us to continue our work.
Ways To Support The Lyric
The Lyric Theatre acknowledges the support of our Principal Sponsors, Trusts, Foundations, and Project Funders, in Kind Support, plus thousands of generous donors like you.
Thank You for helping us continue our work.
Principal Sponsors
-
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Core Funder of the Lyric Theatre
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Core Funder of the Lyric Theatre
-
Belfast City Council Core Funder of the Lyric Theatre
Belfast City Council
Core Funder of the Lyric Theatre
Grants, Foundations and Project Funders
-
Future Screens ArtWork Scheme; Creation of Scenic Construction Apprentice Role
Future Screens
ArtWork Scheme; Creation of Scenic Construction Apprentice Role
-
Arts & Business NI
Arts & Business NI
-
The Ireland Funds Supported through the Heart of the Community Fund
The Ireland Funds
Supported through the Heart of the Community Fund
-
British Council Northern Ireland Connections through Culture; partnership with Rage Productions, Mumbai
British Council Northern Ireland
Connections through Culture; partnership with Rage Productions, Mumbai
-
The Mackintosh Foundation Technical Theatre Apprentice Scheme; Funds Assistant Production Manager
The Mackintosh Foundation
Technical Theatre Apprentice Scheme; Funds Assistant Production Manager
-
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Rural Affairs Supporting our Creative Learning Eco-Project Schools Tour
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Rural Affairs
Supporting our Creative Learning Eco-Project Schools Tour
-
FinTrU Supporting the delivery our Drama Studio bursaries for those entering into third level education
FinTrU
Supporting the delivery our Drama Studio bursaries for those entering into third level education
-
The National Lottery Community Foundation NI Dormant Accounts NI Recipient
The National Lottery Community Foundation NI
Dormant Accounts NI Recipient
-
The Fishmongers' Trust Support for Drama Studio participants through Bursaries
The Fishmongers' Trust
Support for Drama Studio participants through Bursaries
-
Tourism Ireland Supporting touring 'Agreement' in 2024
Tourism Ireland
Supporting touring 'Agreement' in 2024
-
Irish American Partnership Supporting Lyric fundraising in U.S.A.
Irish American Partnership
Supporting Lyric fundraising in U.S.A.
-
Backstage Trust Supporting our LED lighting upgrade across the theatre
Backstage Trust
Supporting our LED lighting upgrade across the theatre
-
Crown Creative Supporting our branding
Crown Creative
Supporting our branding
-
Squashies Supporting our Summer School Programme
Squashies
Supporting our Summer School Programme
-
The National Lottery Heritage Fund Awarded Grant 3 Year Heritage project. Thanks to the National Lottery Players
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Awarded Grant 3 Year Heritage project. Thanks to the National Lottery Players
Corporate Partners
-
KPMG Gold Corporate Partner 2025
KPMG
Gold Corporate Partner 2025
-
W&G Baird Silver Corporate Partner 2025
W&G Baird
Silver Corporate Partner 2025
Lyric+ Director's Circle
Maebeth Fenton Martin MBE
Honorary President of the American Friends of the Lyric
Dr William Cabin
Inga Norvilyte-Donaldson
Mary Lavery
Lyric+ Principals
Carrie Alexander
Paul Coyle
On behalf of Pallet Trucks NI
Amanda Mellon
Mr and Mrs Joseph Corrigan
Dr Mary Goss
Julie Hastings
Molly Goyer-Gorman
Paula Kearney
Jackie Muldoon
Daithi Murray
Walker Ewart
Lorraine Nelson
Paul McErlean
Individual Donors
Mike Clune
Maebeth Fenton Martin MBE
Frank and Iris Graham
Joe and Mary Lou Quinlan
Henry Kates & Jane Knox
Jean Horstman
William Cabin
Seat Sponsors 2025
Minford McBride
Mary Lavery
Why Support the Lyric Theatre Belfast?
With ticket sales covering only a fraction of our operating costs, the Lyric Theatre must raise additional funds each year simply to keep our doors open and our lights on. Charitable giving is not just helpful, it's essential. Support from our audience members, friends and local businesses has:
- Fund over 25 exceptional young Drama Studio participants in their pursuit of professional theatre training.
- Tour our primary school Eco-project to 42 primary schools across Northern Ireland.
- Provide hundreds of tickets for underprivileged school children to enjoy our Christmas production.
- Provide apprenticeships and internships for producers, assistant directors, designers and facilitators.
- Provide 6 internships with Creative Learning.
- Bring our Blackout tour to 12,074 young people.
- Support over 100 writers in the last year alone.
- Provide continued 6-month support to 4 new playwrights through our New Playwrights Programme.