Marie Jones' The Blind Fiddler - Lyric Theatre Belfast

What to Expect

Marie Jones’ The Blind Fiddler completes its main run at the Lyric Theatre Belfast between 4 and 16 August 2026, following preview performances in late July. The play is a tragi-dramedy that follows Kathleen Gormley from childhood into adulthood, set against the backdrop of a Belfast traditional music pub. It weaves together family, memory and cultural identity as Kathleen navigates the tension between her mother’s aspirations for her and her father’s devotion to preserving the city’s musical traditions, including his own stories about a mysterious blind fiddler. The production is written by Marie Jones, whose past credits include Stones in His Pockets, and is directed by her son Matthew McElhinney, with her husband Ian McElhinney and long-time collaborator Martin Lynch co-producing. The cast includes accomplished traditional musicians alongside actors Kerri Quinn and Antoinette Morelli, with live music running through the two-hour show.

Good to Know

The Blind Fiddler plays on the Lyric’s Main Stage from Tuesday 4 August through Sunday 16 August 2026, with performances at either 2:30pm or 7:30pm depending on the date. Running time is around two hours including an interval, and the show is recommended for ages 12 and up given its blend of comedy and heavier family drama. Tickets range from £16 to £38, with most dates already selling out by early August; the Lyric’s box office confirms limited availability remains for the closing weekend, Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August. Book directly through the Lyric Theatre website or by phone at 028 9038 1081. The show first premiered as part of the Belfast Fleadh programme and has been revived for this dedicated run at the Lyric.

Getting There

The Lyric Theatre sits on Ridgeway Street off Stranmillis Road, close to Belfast’s Botanic Gardens and Queen’s University, with metered on-street parking nearby and regular Translink bus services from the city centre. The theatre building itself, overlooking the River Lagan towpath, is fully accessible, and the Lyric’s own café bar opens before performances and through the interval for anyone wanting a pre-show drink or a bite to eat.

The Blind Fiddler is one of several productions marking the Lyric’s 75th anniversary season through 2026, and its run coincides with the venue’s exhibition A House of Play, tracing 75 years of the theatre’s history, on display in the foyer for ticket holders throughout August.