Belfast's Lyric Lays Solid Foundation

As Belfast's iconic Lyric Theatre continues its run of plays in its temporary home at the Elmwood Hall, a major milestone has (literally - given the literary inscription) been passed.

The laying of the original Lyric Theatre's foundation stone in the new theatre, (also being built on the original Ridgeway Street location) has taken place.

In advance of its planned re-opening - due in the spring of next year - a small piece of history was this week enacted at the Laganside building site.

Lyric Chief Executive Ciaran McAuley is shown here with Trustee and actor/director Dan Gordon marking the occasion of the re-laying of the old Lyric Theatre's original Foundation Stone into the new theatre.

With nearly four times the floor space than in the original theatre, the Lyric's new home will consist of a 394 seat main auditorium, a 150 seat studio theatre, a rehearsal room, extensive riverfront foyers and bar, dressing rooms, technical facilities and office accommodation.

This week, Dan Gordon said: "The inscription on the stone is 'Look up in the sun's eye'," which he explained is a direct quote from the final stanza of WB Yeats' long-winded, but appropriately titled poem 'To A Wealthy Man Who Promised A Second Subscription To The Dublin Municipal Gallery If It Were Proved The People Wanted Pictures'.

Meanwhile, as the milestone is passed (and the other stone laid), the current production of 'The Miser', a comedy by Molière runs to Saturday 29 May before going on tour.

See: www.lyrictheatre.co.uk/whatson

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