Propaganda: A New Musical is getting ready to take to the main stage of the Lyric Theatre, Sat 8 Oct - Sat 5 Nov 2022, as part of this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival.
A Lyric Theatre and Belfast Ensemble co-production Propaganda: A New Musical, written and directed by award-winning and double Ivor Novello-nominated composer Conor Mitchell, is a satirical comedy musical featuring some of the leading talent from the UK’s musical theatre scene.
It’s Berlin, 1949. An ‘iron curtain’ draws across war ravaged Germany. Berlin divides in two. With a Broadway influenced score, a live 14-piece orchestra and stellar cast, Propaganda: A New Musical tells the story of Hanna (Joanna O’Hare - School of Rock) and Slavi (Darren Franklin – The Ferryman), as two young lovers trapped in east Berlin, who become embroiled in the chaos of circumstance, art, love and American jazz.
They are joined by leading musical theatre performers Rebecca Caine (The Light in the Piazza, Flowers for Mrs Harris), Matthew Cavan (Sweeney Todd), Celia Graham (Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, Les Miserables), Sean Kearns (The Last Ship, The Commitments) and Oliver Lidert (The Lion King, The Book Of Mormon, The Prince Of Egypt).
Composer Conor Mitchell will also direct the production, which will see him return to his roots of musical theatre. Mitchell heads a creative team that also includes conductor Bob Broad, set and costume designer Conor Murphy, lighting designer Mary Tumelty and video designer Conan McIvor.
Commenting on the production, Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer Lyric Theatre, said: “Supporting and producing the new work of our most talented and innovative artists is at the heart of the Lyric’s theatrical mission. We are thrilled that this show, Propaganda: A New Musical, an original Lyric commission, is finally coming to life with Conor Mitchell at the helm. He has not been afraid to hold a mirror up to the systems that govern us and have our leaders’ words quoted back at themselves. His work isfrightening, enlightening and hugely entertaining. It is with pride we are assembling this incredible cast, musicians, and creative team, to tell this prescient story.”
Conor Mitchell, composer and director of Propaganda: A New Musical, and founder of The Belfast Ensemble added: “On behalf of Belfast Ensemble we are delighted to work in partnership with the Lyric on this our first collaboration of our satirical comedy musical Propaganda: A New Musical. Musical theatre can be the most powerful of art forms. It is popular song ‘as drama’ and speaks directly to the heart of audiences. This collaboration is a dynamic coming together of Belfast’s most dynamic companies; one that will change the landscape of political theatre from Northern Ireland, using music and satire to do it.”
Dr Damian Smyth, Head of Literature and Drama, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support this exciting new co-production from the Lyric Theatre and The Belfast Ensemble. The Belfast Ensemble’s Conor Mitchell is one of the most exciting and innovative artists working in Northern Ireland and Propaganda: A New Musicalpromises to be another stellar production from the Lyric Theatre and this ground-breaking ensemble, which in recent times has brought us extraordinary productions including, Abomination: A DUP Opera and MASS.”
Tickets for Propaganda: A New Musical are now on sale at http://www.lyrictheatre.co.uk
