Season ahead at Lyric Theatre

The award-winning director, who was literary director of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, launched the new season under the banner ‘Northern Soul’ which features exciting new writing, classic drama and some sparkling Christmas comedy.

“Each of these plays share something Northern in their locations and each of them deal in some powerful way with the soul; in my view the act of being truly alive,” Jimmy said.

Fay takes up the reins as David Ireland’s comedy Can’t Forget About You opens on the Danske Bank Stage for a four-week run until July 5. This hilarious romantic comedy, directed by Conleth Hill, was moved to the main stage after a sell-out run in the Naughton Studio last summer.

The new season kicks off in August with the intense drama, Punk Rock, about a

dysfunctional group of students dealing with the pressures of adolescence and education.

Punk Rock, directed by Selina Cartmell, runs on the Danske Bank Stage from Sunday

August 10 until Saturday September 6. Tickets priced £15 - £24.50.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Ulster Workers’ Strike which provides the perfect context for Stewart Parker’s final masterpiece, Pentecost which will be directed by Jimmy Fay. Starring Roisin Gallagher, Carol Moore and Judith Roddy, it tells the story of the inter-twined lives of a group of people thrown together during the Ulster Workers’ Strike.

Pentecost runs on the Danske Bank Stage from Saturday 20 September to Saturday

October 18.

This Christmas the Lyric brings you two fantastic Premieres – a new Marie Jones’ play and a new production of the classic tale, Sleeping Beauty by Derek O’Connor for all the family.

Mistletoe & Crime runs on the Dankse Bank Stage from Saturday November 22 to

Sunday January 11.

Choreographer and director, Deborah Maguire will conjure up the magic of Christmas for children and adults alike with a new musical adaptation of the enchanted tale of Sleeping Beauty. The story of a beautiful princess condemned to sleep forever by a wicked witch who pricks her thumb has been adapted by award-winning writer, Derek O’Connor, who won a Bafta for CBBC programme Roy.

Sleeping Beauty runs on the Danske Bank Stage from Friday, December 5 until Sunday January 4. Tickets range from just £12.50 - £18 with Family ticket and Schools prices available.

Jimmy Fay, Lyric Executive Producer said he is “very pleased to join and lead the dedicated and passionate team” at the theatre.

“Our aim is to present entertaining, inquisitive, adventurous and vibrant theatre, theatre that reflects and tells stories about our community and looks out into the world and towards the future with confidence and passion,” he said. “We hope you find the season we present today meets that vision and it is one which we aim to build on.”

For more information on the Lyric’s season or to book, go to www.lyrictheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (028) 9038 1081.