A House of Play Exhibition

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.The Lyric Theatre is delighted to present The Return: Alice Berger Hammerschlag and The New Gallery, a new exhibition within its major anniversary show, A House of Play.

This latest chapter revisits the bold legacy of the Lyric’s New Gallery (1963-1969) and its sole curator and director, Alice Berger Hammerschlag (1917-1969), bringing renewed focus to a remarkable and often overlooked moment in Belfast’s cultural history.Artists featured: Alice Berger Hammerschlag (1917-69), Anna Ritchie (b.1937), Brian Ferran (b.1940), Colin Middleton (1910-83), Deborah Brown (1927-2023), Jean Osborne (1926-65), Kathleen Bell (1917-88), Neil Shawcross (b.1940), Richard Croft (b.1935) and T.P.

Flanagan (1929-2011).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.