Independent north coast theatre company brings heartwarming musical about a post 9/11 New York to Belfast's Lyric Theatre
An independent theatre company founded by a group of north coast creatives is bringing a heartwarming musical about a post 9/11 New York to Belfast's Lyric Theatre this September.
Just Tea & Friends, founded by Andrew Robinson, Beccy Henderson, Gillian Brown and Steven Millar will present Ordinary Days in the Naughton Studio for three performances on Friday, September 11 at 8pm and Saturday, September 12 at 3pm and 8pm.
Entirely self-produced, the project has been built from the ground up by the company itself. From securing the performance rights and fundraising to producing, marketing, set design and rehearsals, every aspect of the production has been driven by the founders.
Co-founder and Musical Director, Ballymoney man Andrew Robinson, said: "Just Tea & Friends began with a group of friends who believed that if the opportunities weren't there, we could create them ourselves.
"Bringing Ordinary Days to the Lyric Theatre is a huge milestone for all of us. It shows what's possible when local artists back one another and invest in creating high-quality theatre together."
Written and composed by Adam Gwon, Ordinary Days follows four New Yorkers whose lives unexpectedly intersect. Through a contemporary score filled with warmth, humour and heart, the musical explores loneliness, ambition, friendship and the extraordinary moments that emerge from everyday life.
While Ordinary Days is ultimately a story about friendship, hope and human connection, it is set in a New York forever changed by the events of 9/11.
Presenting the production during the anniversary weekend offers a quiet acknowledgement of that history while celebrating the resilience, warmth, humour and optimism that lie at the heart of the musical.
As Northern Ireland's arts sector continues to face financial challenges, the company hopes the production demonstrates the value of investing in local artists and independent theatre-making.
Andrew added: "We hope this production encourages other artists to realise they don't have to wait for someone else to create opportunities. If you believe in an idea and surround yourself with the right people, remarkable things can happen.
"We’d like to sincerely thank everyone at the Lyric Theatre for the support they've shown us throughout this journey. As a independent theatre company, we've felt genuinely welcomed, and we're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to perform in such a special venue."