Lovers was the first of Brian Friel's plays to be produced in the new theatre on Ridgeway St. in June 1970. This play was produced again in our 50th anniversary year, directed to great acclaim by Emma Jordan, who was nominated for a UK Theatre Award for the production.

The enduring appeal of Brian Friel's plays, which are so wide ranging in subject and style, means that he is the most produced Northern Irish and contemporary playwright in the Lyric's history, with 23 productions in the past 50 years.