23-26
PETER CORRY PAGE 14
GLASGOW
PAGE 29
BELFASTTIMES
And just like that, it’s Autumn. But what a summer! The sun felt like it came out more and the daytime temperature was rarely below 20 degrees Did you know l used to work in the Met Office, so I’m a bit of a weather geek! You can’t beat a bit of cloud watching
As the magazine continues to grow we are always on the look out for features, events, interview opportunities and things to tell you about.
We have more Totally Tourist travel pages this month as we go on the hunt for chocolatiers in Bruges and head to Glasgow on a day trip Big shout out to Leesa Harker and Peter Corry for the interviews, it was a pleasure!
I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget to follow us on socials @belfasttimes for regular updates and behind the scenes of what’s looking like a very busy Autumn
Jeff
Led Zeppelin first played their iconic song "Stairway to Heaven" live at the Ulster Hall, it didn’t go down too well because the audience didn’t know it!
Rodgers
WHAT’S ON IN SEPTEMBER
Belfast Maritime Festival - a weekend of free fun on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September from 11am-6pm
Belfast’s popular Autumn Fair returns to Botanic Gardens on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, promising flowers, arts and crafts, food, dinosaur-themed family fun and much more.
European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) 13-14
September 2025. Keep an eye out for events happening across NI.
Culture Night is back after 5 years – with a fresh new look and 100+ events planned citywide on Friday 19 September, 4pm-10pm.
Late Night Art Belfast 4 Sept 6-10pm
MUSIC IN THE PARKS
Bands will perform outdoors on: Sunday 14 September in Botanic Gardens 2pm to 5pm
MORE THAN BELFAST
Armagh’s much-anticipated Food and Cider Weekend – which celebrates the region’s PGIstatus Armagh Bramley Apples, world-class craft cider, and award-winning hospitality – is returning from 4th -7th September
5
AUTUMN THEATRE
FOLLIES
SAT 13 SEP - SAT 20 SEP
Northern Ireland Opera presents a new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's legendary musical, Follies.
DARA Ó BRIAIN
THU 25 SEP - SAT 27 SEP
Dara's new show Re:Creation sees one of Ireland's finest live comedians back doing his favourite thing: standing in a theatre, telling stories and creating madness with the audience.
DID YOU KNOW?
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL
TUE 7 OCT - SAT 11 OCT
Ulster Operatic Company is delighted to bring this hilarious musical comedy (based on the hit movie) to the stage.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
TUE 30 SEP - SAT 4 OCT
Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, this thrilling stage production examines friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum-security facility. The 1994 feature film was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
OTTILIE
WED 15 OCT - FRI 24 OCT
The international premiere of a new one woman show based on the life of Northern Irish blues singer Ottilie Patterson.
AUTUMN THEAT
LYRIC THEATRE THE MAC
IN 2015 THE MAC WAS SHORTLISTED FOR THE MUSEUM OF THE YEAR PRIZE
If hell is other people, as Sartre had it, the three characters in David Ireland’s play Ulster American may just have found it. Near the beginning of the Bright Umbrella production at the Sanctuary Theatre, Jay the Hollywood star asks Leigh the theatre director conversationally if he’s ever used the nword. Say when drunk, says the ex-alcoholic. Shocked, Leigh says no but in the encounter between 12 steps Jay and nervous Leigh, things are about to take a turn for the worse. The subject of rape is raised and Jay, acted with hapless energy by Andrew McClay, asks if there are any situations in which it’s morally justifiable. Leigh, nicely nervous James Boal, tries to refuse to play this game but is drawn in Reluctant laughs are wrung from the audience even here, with Jay imagining a gun to his head to justify the unjustifiable. There is also a strange riff on Princess Diana and in between Jay does press-us to indicate his superiority
It is a bleak, furious comedy, becoming even more so after playwright Ruth Davenport enters the scene late to discuss a joint project Caroline Curran, known for her role as Maggie Muff, shows real range here, although is a little speedy in her opening speeches, and builds to a great performance Her character has written a play that Jay will star in, or that’s the plan, and it’s only when questions of Northern Irish identity surface that divisions appear Ruth regards herself as British and there’s a harrowing, instructive passage when Ruth defends a unionist view of the UVF as their last line of defence in the Troubles Jay's ignorance of the situation is risible, like his Northern Irish accent. Leigh dubs Ruth Irish, they battle it out and there’s a significant irony here The men with their faux feminism underline their unreconstructed misogyny as they turn on Ruth. Ganging up, they see the hopes of a hit production falter, Ruth will not meet Quentin Tarantino, Jay with his Irish Catholic background won’t persuade Ruth to rewrite the show.
The State of Belfast at The MAC, is an exhibition and discursive forum co-curated and designed by the MAC and associated partner Participation and Practice of Rights specifically their ongoing campaign Take Back the City
From 18 Jul 2025 until 21 Sep 2025
Radical Hope – works from the Arsenal Gallery collection. Golden Thread Gallery
13th September – 8th November 2025
An exhibition developed in collaboration with Arsenal Gallery in Białystok, Poland
The exhibition offers a timely reflection on uncertainty, resilience, and the transformative potential of art
ADVERTISEMENT
Lucian Freud's Etchings: A Creative Collaboration, Titanic Belfast 2 May – 30 September 2025
In collaboration with the V&A, Titanic Belfast is hosting a free exhibition of the work of one of the foremost British artists of the 20th-century, Lucian Freud.
Mal McCann: This Is Not a War Belfast Exposed 3 - 10 September McCann has been documenting Palestine solidarity movements in Belfast. Mal McCann: This Is Not a War captures the protests that have swept the city in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Through his lens, McCann records the grief, rage, and unity of communities thousands of miles from the conflict
SEPTEMBER
Who’s on tour this month? Check out our gig listings on social media ONTOURNI
AD-CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR TICKETS!
THE INTERVIEW: LEESA HARKER
Leesa, I first met you in 2012 at the signing of the Fifty Shades book signing in Easons, and you’ve been on an amazing journey since then. What has been your highlight?
Tricky one as there's been so many! I think probably getting the sitcom pilot commission with Hat Trick Productions (Derry Girls) and Channel 4. (It's called Mommune and is about 3 single mums that move in together sharing bills, childcare and lives) It has been my dream from day one to get a TV commission and I have tried so many times without success. A few near misses - almost there but not quite! It was knockback city and in Jan of 2024 and I actually considered giving it all up and I applied to be an Uber taxi driver! But then the pendulum started swinging in my direction again and in the last 12 months, it has been like magical how many writing opportunities and accreditations I have been given.
We loved reading Maggie’s series of books. Do you think you’d right another book?
Yes absolutely - but it would either be a rom-com type novel or a thriller No more Maggie novellas I have a a couple of feature film ideas that I have been working on for a few years now so if they don't get picked up by a producer, I will likely start writing them as novels. And it might be the case if they do end up as novels, they'd get optioned for a film anyway! That seems to be the way a lot of films are made now - books first. I LOVE reading books so it's definitely on the cards for me to write one at some point
Is there a project you’ve liked working on the most or maybe a moment that stands out in your writing career?
I think transitioning from theatre to TValthough it has been seriously hard work getting credibility as a TV/Film writer - and like I said above, I almost gave up, to stand on set of my short film, The Bully, as writer and producer, and watch the actors and the crew put together the thoughts and ideas that came from my mind, my day-dreams, I just can't describe that feeling - it is magical. Creativity coming to life and being captured on film that is there for people to watch forever - it brings me pure joy The film also was shown at film festivals all over the world and was nominated for two awards, winning one at New York Short Comedy Film Festival. I was delighted! What’s next for you?
Well this year has been the busiest year work wise since I started in 2012 I have so many projects on the go! So last year, when I was about to start Uber driving, I applied for a few opportunities and got one. Then as the year went on, I applied for a few more and got them all! So I am teetering on the edge now of over-committed, project wise. But also I have to remind myself that 18months ago, I had nothing in the pipeline - so no complaints here! I have Belfast Actually 2 at Theatre at the Mill this Christmas - writing and producing, then I have the final Maggie play, Maggie's Menopause at The Grand Opera House in Feb (we finish BA2 on 3rd Jan and start rehearsals for MM on 5th Jan!) and I'm working on a new play 'Peeler' that's been my first funded play with the Arts Council - it's about a female RUC officer in the 80's - that's it theatre wise
And TV/Film - I have a short film in development with a producer based on the true story of the Carnmoney witch (dark comedy), I have the sitcom pilot that I'm writing (Mommune), and another NI sitcom idea that I'm developing with two other writers, I have a feature film that I co-wrote with another writer that is in development and all being well, will go into production next year (total dream come true) and I am working on two original TV drama series ideas that I am hoping to get picked up for development next year. And a big holiday in the Spring hopefully! For some R&R!
The John Boyd Dunlop room
Ready to Take the Stage? Peter Corry on Levelling Up Your Musical Theatre Training
Do you live for the buzz of being on stage? Does performing feel less like a hobby and more like who you are? If so, The Performance Academy at the Belfast School of Performing Arts could be your next big step
Led by Peter Corry MBE seasoned performer, director and producer with a career which spans from Belfast to the West End and beyond the Academy is designed for young people aged 16–24 who want to take their musical theatre or acting training seriously. Peter tells us more about the academy
“At the Belfast School of Performing Arts we train young people from age 3 in the discipline of musical theatre, but we saw a gap for classes that would take that passion, hone their skills, enhance their confidence, and bridge the gap for these talented young people to take the next step, potentially on to a career in the industry. The Performance Academy is intensive, exciting, and industryshaped, it’s about turning raw passion into professional-level skill.
“There is an enormous amount of talent in Northern Ireland and that talent is the spark,” says Peter, “but what turns that spark into a flame is focus, discipline and joy in the craft The Academy is where you learn to do that.
“At The Performance Academy, you can choose musical theatre or acting, but with the intensity and progression you’d expect from a professional environment. Classes include vocal technique, acting-throughsong, audition prep, scene study, acting for screen and movement.”
Peter goes on to explain; “It’s also about purpose. Every skill you learn feeds directly into performance opportunities. There’s no “just for fun” here everything is building towards showcases and auditions, giving you real-world confidence and experience You’re not just learning a number for the sake of it, you’re building a process that you can take into any audition or rehearsal room ”
If you’re a strong singer but nervous about dance, or a confident mover who wants to grow vocally, don’t worry the Academy meets you where you are Tutors are working professionals who know how to push you just far enough to keep you progressing
Performance opportunities are a key part of the journey. At the end of each cycle, you’ll take part in a Performance Academy Showcase, giving you the thrill — and the challenge — of showing your skills under lights.
“It’s about finding those breakthrough moments,” says Peter. “That high note you thought you’d never reach, the monologue that suddenly feels alive, the dance that finally flows. Those sparks are what the Academy is all about”
Alongside weekly training, you can choose to work towards Trinity College London qualifications Options include graded exams or the ATCL Level 4 Diploma in Musical Theatre Performance or Speech and Drama equivalent to the first year of a degree and carrying valuable UCAS points.
Not everyone takes this route, but for those who do, it’s a big advantage when it comes to university or drama school auditions. And because the Academy is a registered Trinity exam centre, you can complete everything right here in Belfast
If your dream is professional training, the Academy will guide you through the drama school process from building your audition repertoire to preparing self-tapes and sitting in front of mock panels. You’ll learn how to pick the right material, present yourself professionally and adapt under pressure.
“We look for talent, work ethic and coachability, if you’re prepared to show up, work hard and be open, you’re ready for the Academy and ready for the challenges of auditions ahead.”
So, if you’re serious about musical theatre and ready to push yourself, this is your chance. As Peter puts it: “Bring your passion we’ll teach you the rest.”
The Performance Academy runs every Thursday evening at 22 Heron Road, Belfast BT3 9AE
For full details visit performanceacademybspa co uk, call 028 9560 8640 or email performanceacademy@thebspa co uk
This month we headed to Nova on Callender Street. Described as a modern Italian eatery with a morning, noon and late menu to enjoy. Have you been yet?
This month @keevaeats sent us foodie photos from Neighbourhood Cafe.
METRO MEN
BRUGES
There’s no escaping chocolate when you visit Bruges, it’s everywhere, on every street in the city centre. On a recent walking tour of the city, our guide recommended these 4 chocolatiers
DUMON CHOCOLATIER
In 1992, when Stephan Dumon started a small scale production of artisan truffles for local businesses. After a few family businesses helped build his brand, a Chocolaterie Dumon opened in 2008. The store sells a wide selection of chocolates accompanied with Illy, the Italian coffee brand Everything in this contemporary shop with a white and clean looking interior is beautifully packaged Find out more about Dumon here
THE CHOCOLATE LINE
This chocolate shop is an experience from the minute you walk in past the chocolate making room and then into the shop filled with such a large selection you won’t know what to buy.
Its a family owned business and the CEO is Fabienne, a one time fashion designer who fell in love with chocolate. Fabienne still uses her design skills and creativity in The Chocolate Line by designing new packaging, decorating the shops and creating beautiful windows.
The family and the company have a fascinating story including their own plantation in Mexico. Find out more here
We adored these tiny chocolate bear lollies
NEUHAUS - Established 1857
Jean Neuhaus, a pharmacist first thought about covering medicines with the finest chocolate to make them more appealing. In 1912, his grandson evolved this idea into the Belgian praline as we know it today: chocolate filled with delight instead of medicine. Neuhaus became the inventors of the Belgian Praline.
Visit their store in Bruges or online here.
PIERRE MARCOLINI
At the of 14 Pierre Marcolini had found his vocation, at 19 he was a patisserie chef in charge of a team of patissiers, at 31 he won the World Patisserie Championship.
Belgian by birth but of Italian heritage, he effortlessly combines northern discipline with southern spontaneity.
This Bruges chocolatier are bean to bar producers of the finest chocolates. Find out more here.
RIVER ISLAND
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PRIMARK
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COTTON TRADERS
Ombre Stripe Cardi Green £42
IN BRUGES
THE BASILICA OF THE HOLY BLOOD
A basilica with a rich history and ancient relics including the Holy Blood Relic. It is most famous for housing a phial claimed to contain a cloth with Christ's blood.
BRUGES BY BOAT
The best way to see this fairytale city. See the city from a different angle and discover some things you can only see from the water. You might be accompanied by swans on your journey.
BOOK A WALKING TOUR
There are many walking tour options in this compact medieval city. There’s a lot to see and you need a tour guide to show you the highlights.
BEGIJNHOF (BEGUINAGE)
A ladies only world heritage village founded in 1245. With a beautiful central green surrounded by white houses.
A CHOCOLATE LOVERS PARADISE
There’s so much chocolate in Bruges. You’ll feel like you’ve arrived in chocolate heaven. Check out our chocolate pages in this edition!
Exploring Glasgow on a Stenaline day trip.
A day trip to Glasgow on the Stena Superfast ferry with a bus transfer to the city centre is an easy and stress free way to visit
The bus collects you at the exit to the terminal and a 2 hour coach journey later you arrive in Central Glasgow. The bus collects you for the return journey approximately 4 hours later
5 THINGS TO DO IN GLASGOW
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. A museum with one of the most famous works of art in the world, Christ of St John of the Cross. And the Daily organ recital at 1.00pm MondaySaturday and 3 00pm on Sunday.
Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). Home to Glasgow’s extensive modern and contemporary art collection, with the legendary Duke of Wellington and his cone outside Glasgow Cathedral and necropolis
A stunning medieval cathedral with a striking green roof was started in the 1100’s. It’s the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland. The adjoining necropolis is worth a walk around for some notable figures, including a memorial for Lord Kelvin (see the next page)
Buchanan Street.
The main shopping street in the city packed with big brands and high end shopping experiences.
Mackintosh at the Willow
This is always worth visiting. This A-listed building on Sauchiehall St was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Check out the exhibition and find out about Miss Kate Cranston’s tea rooms and her unique collaboration with Charles Rennie Mackintosh
B E LFAST —1888—
Queen Victoria visited Glasgow in 1888 for a state visit to mark the Glasgow International Exhibition. To celebrate the occasion, a Belfast born artist, Sir John Lavery, was commissioned to paint the visit. You can see the painting at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. Sir John Lavery gave 34 of his paintings to the Ulster Museum when it opened as Belfast Museum and Art Gallery.
He was born in Belfast in 1856 but was ophaned at a young age. He was sent to Scotland and became an artist of international renown. Sir John died in 1941 in Ireland, and was buried alongside his wife in Putney Vale Cemetery and Crematorium in southwest London.
Also buried in Putney Vale Cemetery is Joseph Bruce Ismay, chairman and managing director of White Star Line and a surviving passenger of its ship RMS Titanic.
Another Belfast born boy, William Thomson was born on 26 June 1824 in Belfast city centre. There is a blue plaque on The Kelvin building at 21-25 College Square East to mark his birthplace.
In 1830 his family moved to Glasgow. William Thompson was presented with the title Lord Kelvin in 1866. Lord Kelvin calculated the Antarctic ice sheets and highlighted the importance of ice and oceans in climate change in 1888.
Belfast recently welcomed its first ever Virgin Voyages cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady. The ship arrived on the 26 August for an 11 hour visit bringing over 2700 passengers and 1100 crew. It wasn’t the biggest ship to arrive in Belfast this season, but without a doubt it was the one with the biggest buzz about its arrival. Bigger ships this year include the Regal Princess with 3500 passengers Norwegian Prima with th
Azamara cruise ships are increasingly popular doing the UK/Ireland route. One perk on an Azamara cruise is their Azamazing night when they take everyone off the ship for one special night out in a port. This year the Azamazing nights have been to the replica Titanic staircase in Titanic Belfast with entertainment by The Irish Entertainment Group who have been providing unique and unforgettable nights for the passengers. Azamazing nights are really special experiences and unique to Azamara.
