The Man Who Swallowed A Dictionary – a new piece of writing by East Belfast playwright Bobby Niblock, with Martin Lynch and Matthew McElhinney, depicting the extraordinary life of David Ervine; a play that offers a captivating portrayal of the charismatic and controversial political figure who played a significant role in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Enter to win two tickets for opening night
Produced by Martin Lynch and Nikki Turner. Its directed by one of Northern Ireland’s most up and coming Director Matthew McElhinney (Stones In His Pockets) The show is a unique and riveting insight into the life of one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic politicians, seen through the eyes of himself through his life, from his early days as a UVF paramilitary to his role as a political leader and peace campaigner whilst a loving father and grandfather The play explores the challenges and triumphs of Ervine’s life, his political philosophy and the struggles he faced as a key player in the Northern Ireland peace process.
This production is a powerful tribute to David Ervine’s contribution to the political landscape of Northern Ireland and the impact he had on the lives of countless individuals. It aims to inspire audiences to reflect on the legacy of this remarkable leader and the lessons that can be drawn from his life and work. Producer Nikki Turner expressed their excitement for the production, saying “We are delighted to be bringing David Ervine’s story to life on the stage in this way. We hope that audiences will leave the theatre with an appreciation for this remarkable man and the impact he had on the people of Northern Ireland.
Lyric Theatre: 5-22 September 2024
N.I Tour: Tuesday 24th September – Sunday 6th October 2024
“A portrait of one man’s journey rather than the conflict overall, and Paul Garrett portrayed him energetically and with feeling.” Irish News “Engaging portrait” The Stage
The Lyric Theatre is a playhouse for all.
It’s a creative hub for theatre-making, a safe space for nurturing talent and embodies an unwavering passion for creating meaningful connections through theatre and the arts. We’ve always done things a little differently at the Lyric. From its modest beginnings in 1968, this special place has been a springboard for internationally acclaimed playwrights, poets and actors. As Northern Ireland’s premiere full-time theatre to produce its own productions from page to stage, we care deeply about maintaining a high-quality, diverse and inclusive programme that captures the imaginations of our audiences, leaving them changed, charged and empowered.
OUR MISSION
We are a shared civic space for artists and audiences alike; a creative hub for theatre-making, nurturing talent and promoting the critical role of the arts in society. Our mission is to create, entertain, and inspire.
OUR VALUES
We are welcoming: The Lyric Theatre is an inclusive and accessible space for all: a creative place to play, learn, question and explore.
We are nurturing: Our goal is to galvanise, and empower artists, whilst nurturing new generations of talent through the Lyric Drama Studio and our Creative Learning and New Writing programmes.
We inspire and entertain: We aim to provide theatre experiences that entertain and inspire; challenging audiences to explore their own and other stories.
The Lyric has built a long history as Northern Ireland’s premiere self-producing theatre – from our establishment as The Lyric Players Theatre in 1951 at the Derryvolgie Avenue home of our founders Mary and Pearse O’Malley, to our move to Ridgeway Street in 1968, and finally our rebuild in 2011.
For inquiries, tour rates, or donations, please contact us at archive@lyrictheatre.co.uk.
