Belfast Ensemble defies arts funding challenges to create 40+ theatre roles with ‘GROUP: The Musical’
Belfast Ensemble is making a significant investment in the local creative workforce and economy with its current production of GROUP: THE MUSICAL now showing at Lyric Belfast. It is one of the largest shows presented in Northern Ireland this season with 40 plus people involved in producing the outrageous musical comedy. The majority of the show’s spend goes directly into providing quality employment and creative development opportunities for Northern Ireland’s talented theatre makers.
Andrew Hume, Executive Producer of Belfast Ensemble says: “Creating large scale, professional musical theatre is an expensive business - made even more challenging by Northern Ireland’s arts funding environment. The current arts budget, which is set by the Department of Communities (DfC) and managed by Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) s just £5 per capita, compared to £21 per capita in England and almost £25 per capita in the Republic of Ireland.
“Over the last decade, our screen, TV and film sectors have become the bedrock of the local creative economy. It’s painful to see investment in the parallel arts ecosystem lagging so far behind. Last year, ACNI reported £104 million of Gross Value Added from their DfC allocated investment of just £13.27m. With a huge return like this, there’s clear evidence that investing in the local arts sector is a low risk, high reward opportunity for the Northern Ireland Executive. Investing in the arts brings immense economic benefits alongside significant positive outcomes for health, education, community cohesion, and tourism. In presenting GROUP! we're demonstrating that NI has the talent, skills and people needed to make world class art – it’s time for the investment to catch up.”
The outrageous musical comedy, created by Conor Mitchell and Matthew Hurt, has been thrilling Belfast audiences all week, in a bold new production that builds on the show’s past life in New York, Philadelphia, Australia, Edinburgh and London.
Conor Mitchell, Founder and Artistic Director of Belfast Ensemble says: “As one of the country’s most ambitious and recognised creators of major music-theatre works, Belfast Ensemble feels this is an investment worth making. We see this show as a celebration of Belfast. The talent on stage, all of whom have made their homes in the city, are absolutely world class. Given the constraints of the theatre sector’s production budgets, it’s incredibly rare to see a full scale, professional, locally made, Belfast story presented as a musical.
“In association with Lyric Theatre, we’re investing part of our Arts Council funding, alongside some of our reserve cash, and the box office takings from the show to make this piece a vibrant reality for Belfast’s artists and audiences.”
Set in a community centre group therapy session, this outrageous musical comedy has been thrilling audiences since opening last week - and there are just a few more chances to catch it before it closes this Saturday night (April 4).
Described by critics as ‘eye-popping’, ‘packed with talent’ and ‘a wild night with chaotic brilliance’, audiences have just six more chances to see GROUP! before the final performances this Saturday (4 April).
The cast includes Rosie Barry as Jean, Colette Lennon Dougal as Jackie, alongside her husband Adam Dougal as Frank. They’re joined by Darren Franklin as Emmet, Brigid Shine as Amy, and Matthew Cavan (also known as drag artist Cherrie on Top) as incel Chris. The final member of the cast, Carol Moore as Barbara, has been performing on the Lyric stage for over four decades - but her performance in GROUP! will be her first outing in a musical.
GROUP! is presented in association with Lyric Theatre, as part of their 75th anniversary season.
Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer at the Lyric says "It is a great joy for us to be working with the Belfast Ensemble again. Conor Mitchell has proven a master at using mischievous, theatrical élan to analyse our social morals and cultural malaise. He is one of our great poetical voices in this new age of anxiety, and his work acts as both a balm and a tonic while being marvelously fun too.”
Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music and Opera, Arts Council of Northern Ireland says, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support Belfast Ensemble and this production, as part of the wider celebrations around the Lyric Theatre’s 75th anniversary. With such a talented cast and creative team, GROUP! promises to be a thrilling experience, and I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy.”