The Pillowman - The Lyric Theatre, Belfast

Oscar-winning Martin McDonagh’s black comedy thriller The Pillowman opens at the Lyric Theatre tonight, in a new production from Decadent Theatre Company.

The play, which has won two Tony Awards, the Olivier Award for Best New Play, and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Foreign Play, has received widespread critical acclaim in London, New York and the Irish Republic, and has cemented McDonagh’s reputation as one of the leading playwrights and film writers of his generation.

Decadent’s production stars David McSavage (The Savage Eye) and Gary Lydon (War Horse, The Guard, Calvary) as two brutal policemen operating in a totalitarian state. When the short story writer Katurian K Katurian (Peter Campion – London Irish, 6Degrees, Lawless) is brought in for questioning he can’t understand what he could have done wrong, but he gradually realises that there may be a terrible connection between his stories and a series of bizarre and horrific murders.

The Lyric Theatre’s Executive Producer Jimmy Fay said, “Martin McDonagh’s plays have always been hugely popular in Northern Ireland, and for many people The Pillowman is his finest work. We’re excited to host this incredible production and its all-star cast, and I’d urge anyone with an interest in award-winning theatre, gripping thrillers and the art of comic storytelling to see this show.”

The Pillowman will be performed on the Danske Bank stage from March 24 - April 19. Tickets cost
from £15 - £24.50, with £10 student tickets available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and matinees.

Contains strong language and adult content.

For more info and to book tickets click here.

Celebrations in Dublin and Belfast as the Lyric Theatre scoops four Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards

Northern Irish theatre was celebrating last night as the Lyric took four of the available 12 judges’ awards at the annual Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards in Dublin.

This was the Lyric’s biggest ever haul at the Awards, and followed the theatre’s unprecedented 12 nominations this year. It was also the best performance on the night from any theatre on the island of Ireland.

The four awards were:
• Best Director – Selina Cartmell for Punk Rock, by Simon Stephens
• Best Costume Design – Mike Britton for How Many Miles to Babylon by Jennifer Johnston, adapted for stage by Alan Stanford
• Best Set Design – Alyson Cummins for Pentecost, by Stewart Parker
• Best Lighting Design – Ciaran Bagnall for Pentecost, by Stewart Parker

Executive Producer Jimmy Fay said, “I’m absolutely delighted that the Lyric has been recognised with these four awards. The fact that the awards are for three different productions and cover costumes, set and lighting design as well as directing, shows how vibrant and exciting Northern Irish theatre is right now”. 

New comedy God of Carnage premieres at the MAC

This February (3-21st), Prime Cut Productions and the MAC will premiere God of Carnage, a hilarious social satire directed by Emma Jordan and starring Dan Gordon, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Ali White and Sean Sloan.

This grown-up comedy centres on the story of two sets of parents who meet up to deal with the unruly behaviour of their children in a very civilised manner.  What happens next is open to opinion – a calm and rational debate between grown-ups about the need to teach kids how to behave properly? Or a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums and tears before bedtime?

This award-winning play (Tony Award for Best Play 2009; Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy 2009) received rave reviews on Broadway and the West End and now comes to Northern Ireland for the first time. Starring a stellar Northern Ireland cast that includes Dan Gordon, Ali White, Kathy Kiera Clarke and Sean Sloan.

Click here to book 

The Bard at Belmont Open audition call

Duke Special album launch tour at Down Arts Centre

Down Arts Centre is recognised by performers and audiences alike as a great venue for live music, and are kicking off another fantastic season of music with a performance by Duke Special, supported by Derry/Londonderry-born singer, Soak, on Saturday 7 February at 8pm.

In 2014 SOAK released the beautiful single 'Blud’  and toured with the likes of George Ezra and Tegan & Sara. In the same summer that most of her friends got their A-Level results, SOAK signed an album deal with Rough Trade Records and aired the beautiful song, 'B a noBody'.   Her forthcoming album will cement Bridie Monds-Watson's ascent from a raw talent to a unique artistic voice for 2015. 

Those who know Duke Special for the platinum album, Songs from the Deep Forest, and the hit song Freewheel, may be surprised by the breadth of his work. His journey so far has seen him taking on projects as diverse as writing the theme tune for the Irish Sesame Street to writing the music for and appearing in Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children at London’s National Theatre; from presenting a documentary on the life and times of 1950’s megastar Ruby Murray to being commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to write a series of original songs for an exhibition; from performing with orchestras such as the Ulster and RTE Concert orchestras, to making the first recording of an unfinished musical by Kurt Weill, based on the novel Huckleberry Finn.  

Duke Special has once again decided to work with Pledge Music to help fund and promote his new album. Audiences can look forward to hearing some of the new material for the first time during his current tour performances, as well as a selection of songs from his back catalogue.

Duke will be supported by SOAK, an experimental young folk singer-songwriter from Derry.  SOAK has won widespread praise, and comparisons ranging from Laura Marling to Cat Power, for her textured tales of adolescence, family and friendship. Still just 18 years old, SOAK (aka Bridie Monds-Watson) has been performing in her home of Derry since the age of 14, where she’d split her time between studying, the local skate-park, and her burgeoning songwriting, touring in the school holidays, and launching Derry’s City of Culture hours before a GCSE exam.  

To purchase tickets (£14 / £12) and for further information on any Down Arts Centre events, please contact the box office on 028 4461 0747 or visit their website.  For offers and updates, like Down Arts on Facebook

NI Opera's Salome coming to the Grand Opera House

Northern Ireland Opera returns to the Grand Opera House with a new production of Richard Strauss’ notorious opera Salome.

Based on the play by Oscar Wilde, the opera stars Belfast-born Giselle Allen as the Princess who dances for Herod in return for the most shocking of rewards – the head of John the Baptist. The potent combination of this famous biblical story, the eroticism of Salome’s famous Dance of the Seven Veils, and the bloodthirsty denouement initially caused the opera to be banned, but with its high drama and gloriously romantic score it is now a well-established part of the operatic repertoire.

Oliver Mears’ new production of Salome is designed by Annemarie Woods, with Nicholas Chalmers conducting the Ulster Orchestra. A superb Irish and international cast is led by Giselle Allen, Michael Colvin and Robert Hayward and promises to be one of the most talked-about operas in Northern Ireland for many years.

You can book tickets by clicking here

Read my previous reviews of NI Opera productions:
Noye's Fludde - Click here
Macbeth - Click here
The Flying Dutchman - Click here

My Arts Journey #13pForTheArts

When I was a young single mum living in a small house, struggling to hold down a job and make ends meet, the Arts believed in me and gave me a chance.  A job, a life, non-judgmental colleagues and a new view on what NI is about.  Now I believe in myself, my ability, that my opinion is valid, that I am valued, important, creative and trustworthy. Is this worth 13p?  

Starting out as a shy person with no confidence in my ability, I have managed an Arts Centre, worked on nine Festivals in various guises, managed three theatre companies, produced 2 theatre shows, rehearsed readings and a musical.  I am a Chairperson of a company, Director of a charity, have a Full Time job and 2 Part Time jobs.  The belief the Arts had in me made me able to do this. Is this worth 13p?

My kids are open minded, confident, integrated and able to hold their own in adult conversations. They are liberal without being judgmental of traditional viewpoints. They are understanding, balanced and will defend those who are deemed different, weak, alone or difficult.  They do not see colour, gender, ability, sex or difference. They see people.  If they had grown up without the impact of the Arts on their characters, they would not be like this. Is this worth 13p?

Suffering from Post Natal depression and suicidal, I saw a show which made me rethink my journey, my past, my importance, my reasons to live.  I did not take an overdose. Is this worth 13p?

The Arts is not just about jobs, events, tourism, entertainment and education. It's about what makes us people - our well-being, creativity and ability to innovate; our mental health, opinions and ability to understand others; our enthusiasm, our want to learn and our sense of pride.  Please don't be short sighted.

Sign the petition here to support the #13pForTheArts campaign.
https://www.change.org/p/northern-ireland-executive-no-more-cuts-to-the-arts