Review: GROUP! at the Lyric Theatre Belfast

At Lyric Theatre Belfast, GROUP! arrives with a bold promise: an outrageous, razor-sharp comedy musical built around a chaotic group therapy session. What unfolds is something a little harder to pin down — part hilarious, part unsettling, and often delightfully unhinged.

From the outset, this is a show that isn’t afraid to explore darker territory. Themes of trauma, suicide and self-harm sit alongside the comedy, creating a tone that shifts between sharp humour and something more uncomfortable. It doesn’t always aim for constant laughs, but when the comedy lands, it really lands — helped along by a warm, engaged audience, many of whom clearly relished every moment.

What carries the show is the sheer energy on stage. The cast are excellent across the board, committing fully to the chaos, with the facilitator Emmet providing a strong and memorable anchor. The live orchestra is another standout, adding real scale and punch to the production. At times, particularly early on, the vocals were slightly overpowered — from an off-centre seat, a few lines and jokes were lost — but this settled as the show found its rhythm in the second half.

Pacing is a real strength. GROUP! moves quickly and confidently, never lingering too long and often catching you off guard with its unexpected turns. There’s a sense throughout that anything could happen next — and quite often, it does.

The atmosphere in the theatre said a lot. A packed house, plenty of laughter, and a standing ovation at the end reflect just how well the show connects with its audience. It’s bold, energetic, and packed with talent.

While the darker material won’t be for everyone, and the final twist doesn’t quite land with the full impact it builds towards, GROUP! remains an ambitious and entertaining production that isn’t afraid to take risks.

It’s a lively, slightly chaotic night at the theatre — one that embraces the strange as much as the funny, and leaves you with plenty to think about.

photos by Neil Harisson