Lyric Theatre

The Lyric Theatre stands on Ridgeway Street in Belfast, between the Stranmillis Road and Stranmillis Embankment. It opened on its present site in 1968 after moving from a private home in Derryvolgie Avenue. The theatre’s first home was founded in 1951 by Mary O’Malley and her husband Pearse. The poet Austin Clarke laid the foundation stone in 1965, linking the building to W. B. Yeats. Liam Neeson, a long-time supporter, became the theatre’s patron after appearing in Brian Friel’s Philadelphia Here I Come! in 1976. The Lyric is recognised as the principal full-time producing theatre in Belfast. In 2023 it won Theatre of the Year for its programmes and education work. The theatre stages new plays alongside classics, including works by Marie Jones and Marie Jones. A 2011 redevelopment doubled its size, adding a 400-seat main theatre and a flexible studio. A permanent exhibition of Colin Davidson’s portraits is displayed in the building. Visitors find two performance spaces: the main theatre and the Naughton Studio. The theatre hosts plays, readings, and community events throughout the year. A recent season featured works by Conor Mitchell and Christina Reid. The building also holds exhibitions and public discussions about its history. Its location near the embankment offers easy access from the city centre.