ACCLAIMED POLITICAL DRAMA ‘AGREEMENT’TO PREMIERE IN US 

Lyric Theatre Belfast and the Irish Arts Center (IAC) NYC have announced that the acclaimed political drama Agreement, by renowned playwright Owen McCafferty, will have an American premiere at IAC 11 April-12 May 2024. Agreement will also return to Lyric Theatre Belfast 9 – 30 March 2024. Proudly supported by FinTrU, Agreement examines the negotiations leading up to the Good Friday Agreement revealing the drama behind this complex, pivotal moment for Northern Ireland.

This will be the second time the Lyric Theatre have collaborated with the IAC in less than a year, following a hugely successful American premiere of the Lyric’s punk rock musical Good Vibrations (the story of Belfast’s godfather of punk Terri Hooley) which received a Critic’s Pick review from The New York Times, and attracted high-profile audiences including Liam Neeson, Jared Harris and Michael Imperioli.

Dubbed a ‘compelling political thriller’ by The Week, and an ‘outstanding’ 5-stars in the Irish Times, the Lyric’s production of Agreement was a highlight of the civic events in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, playing to capacity audiences in a sold-out run at the Lyric in April. The production attracted international visitors and delegates to Belfast and to the theatre, was nominated for a UK Theatre award for Best New Play and achieved a CIPRide Gold Award for its PR campaign.

The clock is ticking. It’s April 1998 and 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. The award-winning play will once again be directed by Charlotte Westerna, with set and costume design by Conor Murphy. The cast will be announced at a later date.

The Lyric Theatre is delighted that FinTrU, a proud supporter of the arts and sponsor of the FinTrU Theatre Bursary at the Lyric Theatre for actors in training since 2018, is supporting Agreement as title sponsor.

Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer Lyric Theatre, said:
“The Lyric Theatre is delighted to continue our partnership with the Irish Arts Center.  The successful run of Good Vibrations, and shortly a run of Agreement are not only a fantastic opportunity to showcase the immense creative talent from this place but also a unique opportunity to tell important and significant cultural and historical stories. We look forward to the return of Agreement to our mainstage following its sold out run. Over the past 25 years Lyric has had its own part to play in the story and journey of The Good Friday Agreementand it is fitting that this powerful production is returning to Belfast and travelling to international audiences. We are very grateful to our funders, and our title sponsor FinTrU for their support in helping us get there”.

Aidan Connolly, Executive Director of Irish Arts Center, commented:
““We’re thrilled to welcome the Lyric Theatre back to New York with Owen McCafferty’s extraordinary Agreement, building on the wonderful IAC-Lyric partnership inaugurated with last season’s hit musical Good Vibrations.  Thanks to generous support from Culture Ireland and our many funders and stakeholders, this will be yet another opportunity for New York audiences to enjoy the great art – and artists – of Northern Ireland, and appreciate the enduring legacy of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement.”

Tickets for Agreement start from £15 and are available to book now on www.lyrictheatre.co.uk.  Follow the Lyric on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @LyricBelfast.

The Lyric Theatre is supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery funding and Belfast City Council.