Northern Ireland is home to an array of actors, playwrights and stars of the screen. The names of Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea and Brian Friel are world famous. They have inspired others to follow in their giant footsteps and whether it’s small-scale am-dram you’re after or full-blown musical theatre you’ll find it all across this creative little corner of the world. There are theatres everywhere you go in Northern Ireland.
Grand Opera House, Belfast
The Grand Opera House in Belfast’s city centre has a long and distinguished history and is probably the best known of all Belfast theatres. It has welcomed performers as varied as Luciano Pavarotti and Laurel and Hardy. The rather loud interior harks back to the days of the old Victorian playhouse and there is a no-holes barred ostentation about the place that marries nicely with the regular musicals they put on here.
Lyric Theatre, Belfast
Some of Northern Ireland’s finest actors have walked the boards and wowed the audiences at the famous Lyric Theatre in Belfast. Adrian Dunbar, Ciaran Hinds and Frances Tomelty have all cut their teeth in this cutting-edge venue and for actors in this part of the world, the Lyric is a rite of passage.
Waterfront Hall, Belfast
Situated beside Belfast’s famous River Lagan, BelfastWaterfront'sdome-shape and glass exterior add a sleek and modern feel to this historic part of the city. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful looking theatres in Northern Ireland, it has become the venue of choice for top-class comedians and large-scale musicals.
Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey
Built on the site of an old mill in Newtownabbey, the 400-seat Theatre at the Mill has grown in stature since opening. A bit of an everyman, the theatre plays host to high-brow theatre as well as comedy acts and musicals. Its sister venue, The Courtyard, is an even more intimate space and offers up little gems on the acting calendar every year.
Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh
Armagh city’s home of entertainment, this state-of-the-art venue is a modern breath of fresh air in the heart of this beautiful Georgian city. Much of the venue's focus is on local talent and touring companies. But they also provide a stage for productions of ballet, musical theatre and comedy. It’s quite the mix at the Market Place and at just under 400 seats it’s the perfect size for a lovely night out.
The Alley Arts Centre, Strabane
The Alley Arts Centre is a no-nonsense, no frills, 270-seater theatre in County Tyrone. Strabane is the home of erudite wordsmith, the late Flann O'Brien, as well as the highly regarded Strabane Theatre Festival. The two-metre bronze pig keeping guard outside the theatre’s piazza is named Ambrose and recalls the site's former function as a market for arts of a more...culinary nature.
Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
Tyrone is home to the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh. Opened in 2007, this award- winning contemporary arts venue and conference centre is home to theatre performances, comedy, music, dance, workshops, exhibitions and so much more.
The Ardhowen, Enniskillen
The Ardhowen contemporary arts venue has been home to theatre performances, comedy, music, dance, workshops and exhibitions in Enniskillen since 1986. It has gone through a few revamps in the intervening years but happily it has never left this beautiful location on the banks of Lough Erne.
The Waterside, Derry-Londonderry
The magnificent Waterside Theatre in the Ebrington Complex is built on the site of the old shirt factory made famous by Phil Coulter’s song, The Town I loved So Well. Today the theatre has partnerships with local colleges and theatre groups and each year hosts the City of Derry Drama Festival and Hidden Treasures Children’s Theatre Festival.
Millennium Forum, Derry-Londonderry
The opening of the Millennium Forum marked a new beginning in Derry-Londonderry’s cultural life. It took years of campaigning, quite a lot of sweat and a tidy wee sum of money but in the end the 1020-seat theatre, conference centre and community facility in 2001 was a massive boost for the city. It has drawn millions of visitors through its doors since then and will do so long into the future.
Drama and theatre are alive and well in Northern Ireland and there are lots of chances to see the future stars of stage and screen before they become that little bit too famous.
