Dark Forest Theatre Presents - A Filthy Dirty Rumour. In the suffocating quiet of 1950s Belfast, Ruth and Oscar’s marriage is already over-though neither dares to say it aloud. Childless, sexless, and bound by silence, they exist side by side as strangers. One evening, Ruth invites their new lodger Eva in for a drink, and in that fleeting moment of tenderness, something dangerous is awakened. When Ruth’s devout sister Alma witnesses the encounter, she sees not vulnerability but sin. Her judgment sets off a devastating chain reaction, exposing buried desires and unravelling lives already stretched to breaking point. Written and directed by Nathan Martin, this bold and intimate drama aims to shine a light on internalised homophobia, and the cost of repression, the production shines a piercing light on the fragile search for love and identity in a society ruled by fear, faith, and silence.

West Belfast. 1991. A terraced house. Outside, the Troubles are in full spate. Inside, three women hold the line at home while their absent men are lionised, loathed or lost. Until a quiet young stranger unexpectedly turns up. As secrets surface and friendships and loyalties are tested, the stories these women tell themselves about love, family and sacrifice begin to crumble as they are forced to face unpalatable truths together. Rona Munro’s multi-award-winning Bold Girls is a bitingly funny, fiercely compassionate portrait of female lives holding together a broken city with sheer grit and indefatigable gumption. Centre Stage Theatre Company presents the first staging in 35 years in Northern Ireland of Munro’s contemporary classic that promises a night of raucous comedy and raw honesty.

Maria’s sister Bernie has organised a birthday party for her. It’s supposed to be a surprise, but Maria ends up getting the (second) biggest shock of her life. As secrets emerge and cover-ups are revealed, Maria, Bernie and Maria’s daughter Suzanna have to navigate a new world of choices and consequences. What is the cost of a lifetime of silence and who will pay the price when Maria finally speaks up? In her latest play, IMRO Award-winning playwright Nuala McKeever goes deep into the heart of family dynamics. With her trademark wit and compassion, she explores the challenges and the unexpected joys of trying to heal the past to create a better future.

To celebrate our 75th anniversary, the Lyric presents this new exhibition that showcases our rich history. A history which includes an art gallery (The New Gallery, 1963-1969), a literary magazine Threshold (1957-1990), a dance centre, a drama school, Belfast’s first music academy, and of course, a theatre. A House of Play spotlights co-founder Mary O’Malley alongside the many creatives who built the Lyric from its beginnings in 1951, including Helen Lewis, Seamus Heaney, Brian Friel, John Hewitt and many more. Curated by Kim Mawhinney, the exhibition features artworks by Jack B. Yeats, Alice Berger Hammerschlag, Basil Blackshaw and others associated with The New Gallery. Extending the legacy into the present, this exhibition houses two new pieces from two extraordinary artists, one by Colin Davidson and one by Neil Shawcross. It also features rare editions of Threshold and a recreation of the original theatre set up from the O'Malley's home in the 1950s. To access the exhibition please book your free pass via the book now button. Pass includes free entry to the exhibitions. Please collect your ticket and free exhibition brochure on arrival from Box Office. A House Of Play is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery Players.

Hailed by The Guardian as one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century. Faith Healer has captivated audiences worldwide since its premiere in 1979. Travelling through the remote villages of Scotland and Wales, Frank Hardy is promising miracle cures to those with afflicted with sickness and pain. Part showman, part shaman, his gift is astonishing and dangerously unreliable. As Frank, his wife Grace and manager Teddy recount their life on the road, their stories reveal competing versions of the same events in this poetic exploration of a charismatic conman and the consequences of his creative story telling. We are delighted to announce that, as part of our 75th year, Brian Friel's Faith Healer returns to Belfast this October in a major production by the Lyric Theatre, starring Conleth Hill.

A rising force in Irish comedy and storytelling, Aoife blends humour, heartbreak and razor-sharp insight as she explores loss, finds connection and brings to life the strange and hilarious ways we survive what we never thought we’d face. Mixing stand-up, theatrical storytelling and moments of profound emotional truth, Good Grief has been praised by audiences and critics alike for its warmth, wit and knockout performance. A comedy show like no other, that will make you laugh, cry and leave feeling joyfully alive. After selling out her 2025 tour - including Edinburgh Fringe, Galway International Arts Festival and major Irish venues - Aoife Dunne extends her acclaimed debut Good Grief (★★★★ Chortle) into 2026 due to huge demand. A rising force in Irish comedy, she blends humour, heartbreak and sharp insight to explore loss, connection and the strange ways we survive. Mixing stand-up with theatrical storytelling, Good Grief has earned praise for its warmth, wit and emotionally powerful performance.

Jock has been keeping a sea bass he caught on Castlerock beach in his bath for a week in case the Belfast Telegraph come to photograph it. Sammy has found a porno mag in the hedges but he can't get the pages open. Word is big Sandra has been bitten on the fanny by a rattle snake.... And as for Guy Mitchell......well, his dog's dead and... sure ya know yourself. A one man 'multi role' play written by Sam Robinson, acted by Kealan McAllister and Directed by Trevor Gill (although he'll deny it if you ask him...)

1987, Northwest Louisiana - Truvy’s Beauty Spot. Packed with humour and enough hairspray to rip a hole in the ozone layer, Steel Magnolias follows aspiring beautician Annelle, who’s just arrived in town and finds herself swept up in the lively world of Truvy’s salon. As the women prepare for local beauty Shelby’s wedding, the salon hums with gossip, laughter, and the comforting rhythm of everyday life. Young, strong-willed, and unshakeably optimistic, Shelby’s future seems picture-perfect, but as the seasons change, the women discover that life has a way of testing even the strongest hearts. Written by Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias began as a deeply personal tribute to his sister, whose courage and spirit inspired the character of Shelby. Harling’s writing captures the warmth, wit, and unfiltered honesty of Southern women, creating a world that feels both deeply familiar and profoundly moving. His dialogue sparkles with laughter one moment and pierces with truth the next, a reflection of life’s tender balance between joy and sorrow. At the heart of the story lies the enduring bond between six remarkable women: Truvy, M’Lynn, Shelby, Annelle, Ouiser, and Clairee. Though their paths twist through triumphs and tragedies, their friendship remains unshakeable. Together, they face life’s highs and lows with grace, humour, and an endless supply of hairspray. More than three decades after it first took the stage, Steel Magnolias continues to remind audiences that strength can be both fierce and feminine, and that love, laughter, and loyalty are the true beauty secrets of the South. “Steel Magnolias” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.

Step into the vibrant heart of Belfast with Christina Reid’s moving drama, Tea in a China Cup, where memory, family, and tradition intertwine. Set across three turbulent decades, from the Second World War to the height of the Troubles, we follow Beth's journey from adolescence to womanhood. Set in a working-class home, Beth reflects on the powerful women who shaped her life. Through her memories, we encounter a community marked by division, religion, politics, and class, yet held together by the familiar rituals of everyday life: shared stories, careful appearances, and the simple act of pouring tea. With sharp humour and heartfelt honesty, Reid celebrates the resilience of women who kept families and communities together through times of uncertainty and sacrifice. Both tender and deeply affecting, Tea in a China Cup captures the strength, humour, and endurance of ordinary people living through extraordinary moments in history.

Fierce, funny, and devastating, it needles at the deepest questions of love and identity in an age ruled by chemistry and control. “I can tell the difference between who I am and a side effect.” From the writer of Succession and I Hate Suzie, Lucy Prebble’s The Effect marks Bardic Theatre’s return to the Lyric after the sell-out triumphs of The Ferryman and The Snapper. The Effect is part romance, part experiment, part ticking time bomb-a razor-sharp play exploring intimacy and anxiety, where the longing for connection collides with the fear of the artificial. Starring Kevin Canavan (Dracula, Lyric Drama Studio), Anna McCloskey, Máire Coyle and Declan McGrath, this stark, charged production is directed by James Murphy (The Ferryman, Tall Tales & Murder). With atmospheric design from award-winning lighting designer James C. McFetridge and set designer Stuart Marshall, this impactful 2023 production now makes its way to the Lyric Studio. Please note this is a community theatre production.

The Blind Fiddler by Marie Jones, is a Tragi-dramedy theatre piece that explores family, memory and cultural identity, set against a traditional Irish Music backdrop. The narrative follows Pat and Mary Gormley, an ill-matched couple - Pat is a relaxed pub owner, storyteller and musician, while Mary is focused on social advancement. Their daughter Kathleen, looking back thirty years later, attempts to understand her parents’ relationship and the forces that drove their family apart. Through this reflective journey, Kathleen uncovers an important family secret and reevaluates her childhood memories The story transports you from 1970’s Northern Ireland to the 1990’s. The Blind Fiddler is a Marie Jones classic, having previously sold out UK and Irish tours, as well as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Featuring world class musicians Cathal Hayden & Mairtín O’Connor and the Murphy brothers, Niall & Eoin. Fiddler is a perfect illustration of Marie Jones’ fantastic ability to blend comedy & tragedy.

Fifty years after his wrongful conviction, at the age of 74, Paddy is facing into his twilight years and wrestling with a thousand turbulent memories. In Paddy he relives the moving, tender and often hilarious journey that forever altered his destiny. A one-man show, starring Don Wycherley as Paddy, the play is inspired by Paddy’s memoir Life After Life, a Guildford Four Memoir. Paddy is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness, reminding us that the privilege of freedom and love, family and everyday life can restore us and mend the scars of even the most savage injustice. Don Wycherley brings unflinching honesty, pathos and humour to his portrayal of Paddy, a man failed and scarred by a flawed system yet refusing to be defined by it. Paddy is returning to The Lyric after the sold out run

Inspired by two of our recent productions, Tea in a China Cup and Steel Magnolias, this year’s Lyric Summer School invites young people to explore how memories shape who we are and the stories we tell. Across the week, participants will explore a vibrant mix of theatre techniques, including physical theatre, improvisation and characterisation. Working with professional facilitators, young people will learn how to transform these skills into devised pieces inspired by their own memories and the memories of others. Our younger participants will also step into the imaginative world of theatre design, exploring how sets, artwork and props work together to bring a story to life. Through hands-on creativity, they’ll learn how colour, texture and shape can evoke memories and emotions, and how design choices help audiences connect with a production. The week concludes with a showcase in our Naughton Studio, where family and friends are invited to join us enjoy the work created throughout the week.

This summer, inspired by our very own Lyric Theatre productions of Tea in a China Cup and Steel Magnolias, our theme is Memory. Throughout the week, participants will explore how memories shape the stories we tell. They’ll use their imaginations to create characters, improvise, and devise their own theatre pieces, filled with laughter, surprises, and the magic of memories. Alongside the drama sessions, participants will enjoy bright and engaging art and design workshops, where they’ll create their own artwork, set pieces, and fun props inspired by the stories they’re exploring. Through hands-on creativity, they’ll begin to discover how colours, textures and shapes can help us remember special moments and feelings, and how these design elements help bring a performance to life on stage. The week concludes with a showcase in our Naughton Studio, where family and friends are invited to join us enjoy the work created throughout the week. This programme offers a brilliant opportunity for young people to make new friends, build confidence, develop communication skills, work as part of a team, and most importantly, enjoy a fun-filled week of creativity and unforgettable experiences.

Led by professional fight director Philip Rafferty, this intensive, high-energy week-long course offers comprehensive training in creating safe, compelling illusions of violence for stage. Participants will be guided through both unarmed combat and weaponry, exploring practical techniques, choreography, and best practice for performance and teaching contexts. The course is open to all experience levels and provides the opportunity to gain professional qualifications accredited by the APC, at Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced levels (subject to assessment). These qualifications are Equity-recognised and are a valuable addition to any actor’s CV. Please note: the course culminates in a formal examination. All participants must be prepared to undertake the assessment at the end of the week.

Over a century after they were first published, the ghost stories of M R James retain their power to terrify and amuse. This gripping one man show retells two of the earliest and eeriest. In Canon Alberic’s Scrap-book, a young Cambridge antiquary discovers the devil in the details of an old book in a medieval town in the French Pyrenees... In The Mezzotint a ghoulish revenge is enacted within a work of art, before the helpless eyes of a museum curator in Oxford...

It’s not enough to have proof You have to be believed “I became known as the girl who lied about being raped. And that’s what I really don’t want for you, love. We handle it ourselves. We keep it a secret and we deal with it as a family. If nobody knows, it can be easier for you.” A brand-new play from firebrand writer Gary Mitchell, Body Count takes an eyes-wide-open look at the aftermath of being a survivor of sexual assault, the culture it thrives in, and the ways we don’t deal with it.

Darren Jackson (emotionally devoted, digital native, fallible) & Sarah Halden (artificially intelligent, intuitive, Keen to learn) Request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage, as man meets machine and logic meets love. After the award winning whirlwind tour of Granny Jackson’s Dead (Best Production Off Broadway, The Stage Top 50 Shows), the Jackson family are back - and this time they’re hosting a wedding. Darren’s marrying an AI, Susan’s up the walls, Ronnie’s away with the fairies ... and you’re invited. Darren may be hopelessly devoted but can this be real love - what if the groom’s been groomed and the deep fake is on the take? Meet at a secret location and be our guest when the bliss backfires ...Dress to impress, hold your peace (if you can), and get set for a celebration you’ll never forget... for better or worse.

Hello Charlie follows Sisters Maeve and Kate. They have fled their past trauma in Derry and now live in London. Hedonistic Maeve binge-drinks to oblivion; stoic Kate sees history repeating itself. But Maeve dodges culpability for her drunken antics; the blame clearly lies with her beloved, inebriated alter-ego: Charlie. A laugh out loud dark comedy that is courageous and fiercely original in its portrayal of addiction. Hello Charlie was developed as part of The Lyric’s New Playwrights Programme. It was shortlisted for The Women’s Prize for Playwriting, and a finalist for the inaugural Victoria Wood Playwriting Prize for Comedy. Produced by SkelpieLimmer, Front and Centre, and An Grianán Theatre. In association with Pavilion Theatre, Fishamble, and The Lyric Theatre Belfast.

Grimes & McKee get together to write a Christmas show in the middle of a summer heat wave. As they order another round of mojitos by the pool they are both agreed there’s plenty of time to write a masterpiece: a proper play, with songs and a host of characters, and maybe a plot, even if they have to steal one from somebody else. There’s no chance that they’ll prevaricate for months and end up starting rehearsals in November without a word yet written. No chance at all...

Step into the magic of the festive season with the return of Little Women this Christmas. Wrapped in warmth, joy, and togetherness, this timeless story invites families to share in the heartfelt journey of the March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they grow up surrounded by love, laughter, and the true spirit of the holidays. Guided by their caring and wise mother, Marmee, the sisters navigate the changing seasons of life-where girlhood transforms into womanhood, and dreams begin to take shape against the realities of the world around them. Through moments of joy, challenge, and quiet reflection, their bond deepens, revealing the strength found in family, resilience, and love. Along the way, they discover that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact, offering what they can to those less fortunate and reflecting the generous spirit often felt at this time of year. Sensible Meg dreams of a cosy home, spirited Jo follows her passion for storytelling, gentle Beth brings music and warmth to those around her, and creative Amy delights in beauty and ambition. With friendships, personal growth, and the passage of time at its heart, Little Women is a rich and uplifting story, perfect for the family to experience together this Christmas. Originally directed by Emily Foran in 2023, this revival production will be directed by Associate Director Debra Hill

Blending stand-up comedy and original songs, Teresa explores what happens when a forty-something Northern Irish woman stops being “nice” and starts telling the truth. The result is a riotously funny and heartfelt celebration of reclaiming your voice, taking up space, and laughing loudly while you do it. Teresa recently starred in her own BBC Sounds series Tell Teresa, nominated for a prestigious ARIA comedy Award. She’s also familiar to audiences through her popular comedy podcast “Scundered” and appearances on BBC favourites The Blame Game, Soft Border Patrol and Late Licence.

Just Tea & Friends returns to the stage with Adam Gwon’s acclaimed chamber musical, Ordinary Days. Set in a vibrant New York City still living in the shadow of 9/11, Ordinary Days follows four strangers whose lives unexpectedly intersect as they search for meaning, connection and a place to belong. Through a witty, heartfelt and soaring contemporary score, this intimate musical uncovers the big picture within the smallest, quietest moments of everyday life. Staged to coincide with the anniversary of 9/11, this production feels especially timely, offering a heartfelt and timeless story of resilience, hope and the extraordinary beauty found in the everyday. Tender, funny and deeply human, Ordinary Days is a moving reminder that even the briefest encounters can transform us, and that connection often appears when we need it most. This amateur production of ORDINARY DAYS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd.

In this hilarious whirlwind collision of the personal and the political, Joe uses his family's complex relationship with partition to trace a finger over the scar left by colonial separations. Continents are crossed, dark Hollywood secrets are revealed and Fermanagh family folklore is explored in this spellbinding show which weaves intimate revelations with wider historical perspective and discovers that partitions are still very much alive and well today - but definitely not living in Chiswick... Joe’s previous work includes the critically-acclaimed one man shows Fake ID and Five Days. This performance contains sudden/very loud noises, references to death and grief, and strong and offensive language.

It’s 1979. There’s a rumour on the Ballybeen Estate that the British army is behind the new mobile laundry service, which according to Big Sandra is... “awful good of them, it’s not as if they haven’t enough to do”. Marty says they can tell if you’re a terrorist by the state of your underwear. Wee Jim reckons that if that’s the case Spacebucket’s Ma should be in Long Kesh. Oh, and there’s a new girl in the flats, she’s arrived in “The Been” just at the same time as puberty, which doesn’t bode well. Sammy can’t understand why anyone would want to throw a sausage up Royal Avenue. They’re back, Sammy, Marty, Wee Jim and Spacebucket, roaming Ballybeen, the biggest housing estate in western Europe, in the sequel to the outrageous sell out stage play GUY MITCHELL’S DOG’S DEAD, PASS IT ON. Parental Advisory: Adult language, sexual references.

Prime Cut Productions, Ireland’s leading independent and award winning theatre company, return to the Lyric with their critically acclaimed new version of Jean Cocteau’s The Human Voice, by Darren Murphy. Directed by award-winning Emma Jordan (Little Brother, The Pillowman, The Beauty Queen of Leenane) and starring Nicky Harley, (The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Dancing at Lughnasa), in a performance described as “fabulous” and “riveting” this new version is a radical reimagining of Cocteau’s work, “an impeccable piece of theatre” It is a contemporary Belfast story of a woman juggling love and work, as emotional and psychological demands on her time from a desperate client interrupts the devastation of her final call with the lover who abandons her. Pushed to her limits, she must negotiate a treacherous path between her private and public worlds. Heartache is not the aching, luxurious business it used to be.

Sports-mad local boy Robbie has spent his entire life in Sydenham, practicing football every day on his favourite pitch alongside his younger sister, Melissa. Across the city, Deren-a lifelong East Belfast resident and passionate GAA player-has never had a pitch to truly call his own. Everything changes when plans are announced to transform Robbie’s beloved pitch into a Gaelic football ground. For Robbie, it feels like an invasion of identity. For Deren, it’s a long-awaited opportunity. For Melissa, it’s a chance to discover a sport she’s never given much thought to. As a United Ireland referendum looms, the trio find themselves repeatedly crossing paths on this contested, ever-changing ground-clashing over everything from Tayto loyalties and Irish street signs to the age-old question: is it football or soccer? Can Deren open Robbie’s mind to something new-and what might that mean for a changing Northern Ireland? Or is it all too much, too soon for someone so deeply rooted in home?

We Do It For Love is a special 75th Anniversary fundraising concert presented by the Lyric Theatre in collaboration with the Ulster Orchestra. Celebrating the Lyric’s rich production history, the event features a vibrant programme of musical highlights performed by a full orchestra and an ensemble of outstanding singers. All pieces are newly orchestrated by Conor Mitchell, bringing fresh life to beloved works. This event forms part of the Lyric Theatre’s anniversary fundraising programme, supporting its future artistic work and community engagement.

Vittorio Angelone is an Italian-Irish comedian who grew up in Belfast. After moving to London to train as a classical musician he eventually made the predictable switch to stand-up comedy. He has risen through the ranks of the comedy world at an incredible speed, building a following with stand-up clips, podcasts and sketches amassing millions of views online.

Concerned about the state of the world? Worried you don’t have enough Tik Tok followers and that Netflix may finally run out of true crimes? Don’t panic! Instead let a veteran 6 foot 4 comedian reassure you that there’s nothing to worry about - it’s all nonsense. So we may as well just relax and have a good laugh. Tim is well known and loved as the host of BBCNI’s The Blame Game, star of Give My Head Peace and co-presenter of The Long and the Short Of It. “Packed full of beautifully crafted jokes and stories all delivered with mischief and skill. Tim is a great comic and an expert blackmailer" - Neil Delamere