WE'RE COMMITTED TO NEW WRITING
The Lyric Theatre is a playhouse for all. We are a shared civic space for artists and audiences alike; a creative hub for theatre-making, nurturing talent and promoting the critical role of the arts in society. We’re always on the lookout for exciting new work to produce, and we’re passionate about supporting and developing emerging talent.
We are committed to new writing and have a distinguished history of premiering new work by Irish playwrights, from Brian Friel, Christina Reid, Stewart Parker and Marie Jones to David Ireland, Conor McPherson, Erica Murray and Meghan Tyler. In 2016 we created a new writing department, led by our full-time Literary Manager and Dramaturg, Rebecca Mairs, offering masterclasses, support and signposting for playwrights. The Lyric New Playwrights Programme provides dramaturgical support for new and emerging writers and in the last 3 years has supported 16 emerging playwrights across the UK andIreland on the six-month programme.
The New Playwrights Programme at the Lyric totally changed my career – taking me seriously as a writer; providing me with a professional network of theatre practitioners; support, encouragement and guidance from the Literary Manager Rebecca; and as a spring board for my first full professional production. It was a dream come true to become artist in residence and has brought about many other career opportunities that would not have happened had I not started my relationship with the Lyric through this programme.
(Erica Murray – 2017 NPP participant)