Lyric Theatre in Belfast gets £500,000 grant

3 July 2009 -

Theatregoers in Belfast could be treated to better facilities after the Lyric Theatre secured £500,000 of conditional funding.

The monies are due to come from US-based The Kresge Foundation and will be given if the venue can raise £800,000 before June next year.

Funding will go towards the new theatre's construction, which is underway but lacking £1.3 million for fit-out costs.

Angela McCloskey, development director at the Lyric, said: "The immense added value this challenge grant brings by leveraging new donors' gifts is particularly welcome in the current economic climate."

She added that the public can help by donating to the cause, saying raising the £800,000 would make the theatre project a reality.

Plans for the new theatre would mean it had a 394 seat auditorium, a rehearsal room, riverfront foyers and a 150-seat studio theatre.

The Lyric Theatre will open at Elmwood Hall this September for a one-off autumn/winter season while the new building is being created.