Liam Neeson and Richard Croxford recording the voice of the Wizard of Oz for the Lyric's closing show Christmas 2007

Lyric Theatre appoints new Artistic Director

The Lyric Theatre is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Croxford to the position of Artistic Director. This appointment is another crucial step for the Lyric on the road to the opening of the new £17 million theatre in spring 2010. He will take up his position at the Lyric in late November and will direct a number of plays offsite in 2009. He will work alongside the Executive Director, putting in place the programme of productions for the opening seasons at the new theatre.

Richard brings 24 years as a professional theatre practitioner to the Lyric theatre. He has worked in a variety of theatres throughout the UK, Ireland and a large part of Europe. He has worked in London's West End and undertaken major international tours with companies such as the English Shakespeare Company and the Broadway Musical Company.

Lyric audiences will recognise Richard as director and writer on Charlotte's Web and the Snow Queen, as director on Arms and the Man and The Wizard of Oz, (the final show in the old Lyric building). As a Lyric actor his roles included 'Shylock' in The Merchant of Venice, 'Chris Keller' in All My Sons, 'Lord Goring' in An Ideal Husband, 'Dracula' in Dracula, 'Ferdinand' in The Tempest, 'Pip' in Great Expectations and 'Heathcliff' in Wuthering Heights.

Currently he is Artistic Director of award winning Replay Productions, Northern Ireland's leading educational theatre company, producing high quality theatre for young audiences. His production of Macbeth at the Crumlin Road Gaol was the hit of the 2007 Belfast Festival at Queen's reaping critical acclaim and selling out its 4 week run with 1000 people on the waiting list when it was closed.

'I am immensely proud to have been chosen as the Lyric's new Artistic Director and look forward to building on the incredible canon of work the Lyric has produced over the years. I want to retain and develop audiences with a programme of work that is entertaining and stimulating as well as being current, credible and challenging. Exciting times lie ahead.'

commented Mr. Croxford.

The Lyric's Chairman, Mark Carruthers, said:

'The theatre is delighted with Richard's appointment. There was a remarkably strong field of candidates to choose from, but in the end Richard's years of experience in producing theatre in Belfast and his vision for the new Lyric as a place buzzing with quality activity won through. I think everyone who loves theatre will be excited by Richard's appointment and they can be assured of a huge range of exciting work when our new building opens in 2010.'