A major new play marking 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement is set to premier later this month as part of the 2023 Imagine! Belfast Festival.
The production which runs at the Lyric Theatre from March 25 to April 22, was commissioned by Michael Grandage Company (MGC), has been written by one of Belfast’s foremost playwrights Owen McCafferty, and is directed by Charlotte Westenra, with set and costume design by Conor Murphy.
It examines the negotiations leading up to the Good Friday Agreement and weaves real drama out of this complex, momentous and landmark moment for Northern Ireland.
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Set in April 1998 as the clock is ticking as the main political parties in Northern Ireland, the British Government and the Irish Government, all under the watchful eye of Senator George Mitchell, try to hammer out a deal that could pave the way for peace in Northern Ireland. Every word, every movement, every stare means something. This is the last chance saloon and no one is leaving until Agreement is reached one way or another.
This political masterpiece includes a stellar cast featuring Richard Croxford as Senator George Mitchell, Dan Gordon as John Hume, Andrea Irvine as Mo Mowlam, Ronan Leahy as Bertie Ahern, Packy Lee as Gerry Adams, Patrick O'Kane as David Trimble and Rufus Wright as Tony Blair.
As a place that has played its part in the 25 year story of the Good Friday Agreement, including an iconic moment of the peace process - the handshake in 2012 between Queen Elizabeth II and Martin McGuinness, the Lyric are inviting audiences to come together to reflect on this historic and momentous time in the history of Northern Ireland and to join in on a series of discussions around the themes of the play.
These will include a special pre-show event hosted by the Irish Association to discuss how culture and arts have provided opportunities for dialogue, engagement and encounter since the Good Friday Agreement was negotiated.
The Lyric will also be teaming up with Tenx9 Tenx9 to bring nine true stories on the theme Agreement - as an echo of the new play.
Writer Owen McCafferty, suggests that, while the play is set at a very specific moment, it is much more broadly about the process of negotiation.
“We all spend a good deal of our lives negotiating. It’s how we solve the problems that confront us in our relationships with others," he said.
"These negotiations always follow the same pattern. A problem arises and we blame the other and in return they blame us. There is a standoff. At this point a decision must be made. Do you continue to blame the other for the existence of the problem or do you realize you are part of the problem.
"The former leads to a breakdown in the relationship and the latter leads to negotiation – and the possibility of resolution.”
Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer Lyric Theatre, added that the Theatre's main stage is the perfect setting for this historically significant piece of work.
"Over the past 25 years Lyric has had its own part to play in the story and journey of The Good Friday Agreement.
"It is only fitting that Agreement premiere’s on the Lyric main stage, and what a moment it will be when the cast walk out onto the stage as these significant and important characters.
"Agreement will be one of those productions when you will want to say that you were there to witness this historic theatrical moment.”
Nóirín McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “This year we mark the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support the Lyric Theatre and this powerful new production which takes us on the journey of this landmark in our collective history.
"With superb writing from Owen McCafferty, a stellar cast and compelling story, this is a must-see production this spring and I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy.”
Tickets for Agreement start from £15 and are available to book from www.lyrictheatre.co.uk
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