Hello Charlie - Lyric Theatre Belfast

What to Expect

Hello Charlie is a dark comedy by Caoimhe Farren, staged in the Lyric Theatre’s smaller Naughton Studio space from 7 to 18 October 2026 as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival. It follows sisters Maeve and Kate, who left Derry for London to escape a troubled past. Maeve binge-drinks to the point of blackout and deflects blame for her behaviour onto an invented alter-ego, Charlie, while Kate watches old patterns repeat themselves. The play was developed through the Lyric’s New Playwrights Programme, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, and was a finalist for the Victoria Wood Playwriting Prize for Comedy. It is co-produced by SkelpieLimmer, Front and Centre and An Grianán Theatre, and is described by the venue as courageous and fiercely original in how it handles addiction.

The Naughton Studio is the Lyric’s more intimate second space, seating a much smaller audience than the main house, which suits a two-hander built on close, fast dialogue between sisters. New work developed through the Lyric’s own playwrights programme regularly moves through this studio before touring, and Hello Charlie’s run here coincides with the wider Belfast International Arts Festival programme running across the city from mid-October into November, meaning the Lyric will be busier than usual with visiting audiences that week. Given the subject matter, the venue flags it clearly for anyone who has been affected by addiction or the themes it touches on.

Good to Know

• Runs Wednesday 7 October to Sunday 18 October 2026 in the Naughton Studio
• Weekday performances at 8:00pm; weekend matinees at 3:00pm with evening shows at 8:00pm
• Running time approximately 2 hours 10 minutes
• Tickets from £16, rising to £22
• Recommended for ages 14 and over; the show contains references to sexual violence, scenes of substance abuse, and strong language
• Staged as part of the 2026 Belfast International Arts Festival
• Box office: 028 9038 1081, or book online at lyrictheatre.co.uk

Getting There

The Lyric Theatre sits on Ridgeway Street in south Belfast, close to Stranmillis and the Botanic Gardens. It is served by several Translink bus routes from the city centre, and there is pay parking nearby on Stranmillis Road.