Creation Space
We invite artists to get into the ‘guts’ of things, enhance your creative individualistic expression via art, and we wholly support an expansive and endless depth of experimentation.
Come and work, come and play.
The Lyric Theatre is a unique, artist led place in Dorset providing a professional, working base for the range of professional artists involved in creating theatre – performers, circus artists, directors, puppets makers, set designers, composers, costumiers… and the list goes on!
As an artist herself, owner & artistic director Niki McCretton’s vision for the Lyric was to carve a niche in the region to facilitate a creation space for artists, premieres of new work, visiting international companies, showings of work in progress, mentoring and rehearsal space.
We work with artists at all stages of their careers. We welcome the opportunity to work with artists who push boundaries, take risks and encourage audiences to think differently. We are interested in working with artists who create devised theatre and in puppetry, physical theatre, visual performance, circus and innovative children’s theatre.
Performing artists come here from all over the world, some by invitation, and others who ask to come and use this dedicated space in which they can create and present their productions. Spaces like this are few and far between in the UK and we are proud that we have enabled many productions to be born, worked on and premiered here in Bridport. These performances are usually shows that are not on tour as we like to bring unique and experimental, innovative theatre to enhance what is already here with the other wonderful venues in town: Bridport Arts Centre, The Electric Palace and the various pubs/bars presenting live music.
R&D / residencies / rehearsal space / creation space
When artists are in residence we can help find relevant ways in which they can engage or work with the local community. Artists benefit from being able to create the residency they need. Each one is bespoke for the artist to create the work and reach their audience. Some artists want total privacy and secrecy around the work developing in its early, fragile stages; others want audiences to help inform and develop the work in progress and feedback. The Lyric’s artist-led approach means that we can accommodate both. Our bespoke residencies offer artists a range of development opportunities including:
- Mentoring – artistic, producing, marketing, directing, writing, performing and/or design
- Technical support
- Contract negotiation advice
- Access to masterclasses
The main theatre space is available to hire for a few hours or several weeks, depending on your needs and the time of year. The summer months are good for a long booking of several weeks and this has proved popular with artists working on a piece to take to Edinburgh, and then possibly on to tour. Autumn is our busiest season.
During a residency we will lend you a set of keys to use the space independently and around the clock if you wish. The Lyric is in the centre of town so facilities such as shops and cafés are available within a minute’s walk. Bridport is a gateway town to the heritage Jurassic Coast so there are various beautiful beaches nearby for a refreshing breather from the rehearsal room. We can also provide you with a list of accommodation options in the area.