The Velveteen Rabbit - Lyric Theatre & Replay Theatre Co-Production
A LYRIC THEATRE & REPLAY THEATRE COMPANY CO-PRODUCTION
WELCOME
Welcome to the Lyric Theatre.
Working with the remarkable Replay Theatre Company on this new version of the children’s classic story The Velveteen Rabbit has been a great pleasure for the Lyric Theatre. The fact that it is being adapted by the novelist Jan Carson and the musician Duke Special is even more delightful. Jan and Peter (Duke) are exceptional artists in their chosen fields, and it’s a cause for celebration that they have embarked on this journey together at the behest of Replay for the Belfast Children’s Festival.
Children’s theatre is such a noble and critical endeavor, and Replay Theatre is an expert in its field; the Belfast Children’s Festival is
an essential calendar event for any avid theatre-goer. Some of the most remarkable theatre I have ever witnessed has been created for and with young people, and it is important that the Lyric is at the hub of that energy and creativity. We witness some extraordinary companies from around the world, expertly curated by the incredibly hard-working and passionate Eibhlín de Barra, director of Young at Art.
I hope you enjoy today’s performance of Velveteen Rabbit. If you are young and your imagination is sparked, working in the arts is one of the most creative and rewarding careers you can ever have.
Thank you for coming along on the journey.
Jimmy Fay EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Some of the most remarkable theatre I have ever witnessed has been created for and with young people, and it is important that the Lyric is at the hub of that energy and creativity. “ “
Note From The Writer
Like many writers, I was a reader long before I picked up a pen. I owe a tremendous debt to all the incredible writers who infected me with an over-zealous imagination at a very early age. First serialised in Harpers Bazaar in 1921, and shortly thereafter published as a book with stunning illustrations by William Thompson, Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit has been inspiring young readers, like me, for over a century. Most people are familiar with the story. A young boy receives a stuffed rabbit for Christmas. When the nursery’s empty the rabbit comes to life. Alongside its fellow toys, the rabbit embarks upon a journey to discover what it means to be real. The strength
of The Velveteen Rabbit lies in the fact that it’s a children’s book that doesn’t patronise. It is full of very grown-up thoughts. All of life’s big questions are presented here -how to be, what it means to belong, where to find worth and value- yet the story remains an effecting, accessible and extremely entertaining one. In adapting the book for a contemporary audience, I let the characters lead the way. Our nursery’s set in 1980s Northern Ireland, (scene of my own childhood). Our toys are honest, funny and at times a little unhinged. They make a song and dance out of literally everything. They’re try to find their place in the world. They want to belong, desperately so, but
Alongside its fellow toys, the rabbit embarks upon a journey to discover what it means to be real
Note From The Director
I didn’t discover The Velveteen Rabbit through Margery Williams Bianco’s original beautifully illustrated 1922 book. Or through one of its classic film adaptations. Or even through the recent Apple TV version. Nope, I discovered it through Friends, when Chandler buys it for Joey’s girlfriend. (Could I *be* any more mainstream?)
It’s just one of those pieces of classic children’s literature that completely passed me by in childhood. A few years ago, Joey’s girlfriend’s favourite book popped into my head and, with Replay’s audiences in mind, I thought I’d give The Velveteen Rabbit a read. I got the appeal straight away. It’s in that
rich vein of children’s fiction that stretches all the way from Pinocchio to Toy Story, where toys come to life and somehow reveal deep truths to their human friends.
When we decided to make the show, I had a first choice writer and a first choice composer, and we bagged them both. I’ve admired Jan Carson and Duke Special for a long time. They both have voices that are uniquely ‘here’, and both have the ability to create worlds full of whimsy, magic and just enough shadow to appreciate the light.
I’m delighted to share this story, alongside this team, with the children and families of Belfast
they’re not sure what belonging means. Sometimes life serves them up a perfect day and, for a few hours, they’re on top of the world. Sometimes they feel like their batteries are running out. All they want is to be the realest version of themselves. Sound familiar? I hope so.
I hope you recognise something of yourself in The Velveteen Rabbit. Margery Williams story might be over a hundred years old, but it’s never felt more relevant. It was a joy to bring her characters to life.
Jan Carson WRITER
and beyond, and hope that each audience member will always know the love that only comes with being your real, imperfect self.
Janice Kernoghan-Reid DIRECTOR
I’m delighted to share this story, alongside this team, with the children and families of Belfast and beyond
IN THE REHEARSAL ROOM
THE COMPANY
Nursery Magic Fairy & Robbo
Bunny
Jack
Skin Horse & Bunny
Velveteen Rabbit
Wee Man
Writer Director
Composer
Musical Director
Set & Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Choreographer
Rosie Barry
Reuben Browne
Darren Franklin
Allison Harding
Jack Watson
Tara Wilkes
Jan Carson
Janice Kernoghan-Reid
Duke Special
Garth McConaghie
Diana Ennis
Jonathan M. Daley
Eileen McCrory
Lyric Theatre
Executive Producer
Senior Producer
Casting Director
Production Co-ordinator
Jimmy Fay Morag Keating
Clare Gault
Kerry Fitzsimmons
Replay Theatre Company
Chief Executive
Artistic Director
Director of Inclusive Theatre Finance and Operations Manager
Production Managers
Replay Company Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Lyric Company Stage Manager
Technical Manager
Senior Production Technician
Senior Theatre Technician
Technicians
Chief LX
Set Construction
Lead Set Builder Scenic Carpenters
Scenic Welder
Darren Robinson
Adrian Mullan
Jordan Nelson
Caitlín Hunter
Declan King
Aimee Yates
Patrick Glackin
Ian Vennard
Liam Hinchcliffe
Cori Conlon
Victoria Emerson
Karl Laidler
Danny O’Shea
Declan Paxton
Chris Dawson
Lyric Scenic Workshop
Matt Laverty
Aidan Payne
Finn Steadman
Niamh Muldoon
Workshop Assistant Trainee Scenic Carpenter
Costume Makers
Costume Manager
Costume Assistants
Brian Mullan
Janice Kernoghan-Reid
Andrew Stanford
Hayley McBride
Phelan Hardy
Ben Fittis
Diana Ennis
Gillian Lennox
Liv Hill
Catherine Kodicek
Ciara Leneghan
Mairead McCormack
CAST
Rosie Barry
Nursery Magic Fairy & Robbo
Screen credits: Blue Lights; How to Get to Heaven from Belfast; Malpractice; recurring role in Pablo (CBeebies); Ups & Downs (BBC One); Line of Duty (BBC); The Sparticle Mystery (CBBC); BBC short films Shopped and The Silence Between.
Lyric Theatre credits include: The Gingerbread Mix-Up & Carson & the Lady.
Other theatre credits: Belfast Actually (2024); The Shop at the Top of the Town (2022); Hansel & Gretel (The MAC); Beauty and the Beast (GBL Productions, Waterfront Hall)
Rosie tours with an Andrews Sistersinspired swing trio The Swingtime Starlets.
Reuben trained at Trinity Laban
Theatre credits include: School of Rock (International Tour – alternate Dewey Finn); Without the Musical; The Music of Alex Parker & Katie Lam (solo vocalist); The Crazy Coqs Presents: The Irish Party Night (solo vocalist); Camelot (The London Palladium)
Reuben is represented by Brewis Scott Associates and is thrilled to be joining the cast of The Velveteen Rabbit. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support. All the glory to God.
Lyric Theatre credits: Good Vibrations; Propaganda: A New Musical; The Snow Queen; Macbeth; Mixed Marriage; Lay Up Your Ends; The Home Place
Other theatre credits: The Ferryman (Gielgud Theatre); Abomination: A DUP Opera (Abbey Theatre); O Holly Knight (Theatre at the Mill); Tír na nÓg (Aon Scéal / Mill Theatre, Dundrum); A Christmas Carol; Stitching Time; Herons; Graveyard Shift (The MAC); Teenage Kicks (Millennium Forum); Departure Lounge (Grand Opera House, Belfast); Mass; Pirates of Penzance – Concert (The Belfast Ensemble); Kiss Me Kate; The Devil Made Me Do It (Northern Ireland Opera); Egg; Shh, We Have a Plan (Cahoots NI); Stitched Up (C21 Theatre Company)
Screen credits include: Gone (Future Screens); Septet for Four (The Belfast Ensemble); Lord Mountbatten (RTÉ / History Channel); Dry Your Eyes; Betrayal of Trust; Give My Head Peace (BBC)
Reuben Browne Bunny
Darren Franklin Jack
Allison Harding
Skin Horse & Bunny
Allison Harding trained at Arts Educational Schools in London. Following her training she received her apprenticeship with The Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s ‘Young Company’ under the helm of Clive Perry. Allison’s impressive West End Credits include ‘Baruska’ in Once at The Phoenix Theatre directed by John Tiffany, Sister Mary Teresa in Sister Act at The London Palladium directed by Whoopi Goldberg and Anthony Van Last, Queenie in ‘From a Jack to a King at The Ambassadors and Miranda in Return to The Forbidden Planet at The Cambridge Theatre written and directed by Bob Carlton, which also was the first Actor Musician show to win Best Musical at The Laurence Olivier Awards.
Allison has extensive Lyric Theatre credits including Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Captain Jess Hook in Peter Pan and Swallowfire in Pinocchio all written and directed by Paul Boyd. Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance for The Belfast Ensemble, and Mrs Thistlewaite in Dear Spirit by Tara Lynne O’Neill. Allison’s other Theatre Credits include The Witch in Into The Woods directed by Cameron Menzies and Ralph in Kiss Me Kate both for NI Opera. Allison’s Film and TV credits include ACC Leighton in Ellis for Channel 5: Episodes 1, 2 and 3 released November 2024, Pathologist in Dalgliesh released December 2024, Senior Consultant in Malpractice released 2025. Allison also played Head Washerwoman/featured Ensemble in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast directed by Bill Condon, Mamma Mia “Here We Go Again” directed by Ol Parker and Sal Pucino in CBBC’s Nova Jones directed by Fergus Costello.
Jack Watson is an Armagh born actor, trained at the Guildford School of Acting.
Stage Credits include: The Night before Christmas & The Adventures of Red Riding Hood (MAC theatre Belfast); Mirrorball (Lyric Theatre Belfast); Punk Rock (Granary Theatre Cork); One Saturday before the war (Sanctuary theatre Belfast) and Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment (The Scoop London) for which he was nominated for a Broadwayworld award (UK/West End).
TV and Film credits include: KNEECAP (BFI/Curzon); Game of Thrones (HBO) and Torvill and Dean (ITV).
Jack is thrilled to be working once again with Replay and the Lyric, and on one of the most beautiful stories ever written.
Tara Wilkes is an English/Northern Irish actress, singer, and dancer. Her passion for performance began at the age of six when she trained as an Irish dancer, eventually competing at the World Championships in Belfast. Inspired by her time working at The Royal Ballet School, Tara pursued her own performance journey in London. She recently graduated with an MA in Musical Theatre from Associated Studios, where she showcased her talent as Witch 1 in Macbeth and Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde
Tara is thrilled to be making her professional debut in The Velveteen Rabbit in a city so close to her and her family’s hearts.
Tara would like to give special thanks to her Granny Betty, who inspired her to never give up and to always share her talents.
Jack Watson
Velveteen Rabbit
Tara Wilkes
Wee Man
CREATIVES
Writer
Jan Carson
Jan Carson is a writer based in Belfast. She has published three novels, three short story collections and two micro-fiction collections. Her novel The Fire Starters won the EU Prize for Literature for Ireland 2019. Jan’s latest novel, The Raptures was published by Doubleday in early 2022 and was subsequently shortlisted for the An Post Irish Novel of the Year and Kerry Group Novel of the Year. Her short story collection Quickly, While They Still Have Horses was published by Doubleday (UK) in April 2024 and Scribner (US) in July 2024. Her writing has been aired on BBC Radio 3 and 4 and RTE.
She is the Seamus Heaney Centre Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast 2025 and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Her first stage play, an adaptation of the children’s classic, The Velveteen Rabbit will be produced by Replay Theatre Company at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast in March 2025. Her next novel, Few and Far Between is forthcoming in early 2026.
Director
Janice Kernoghan-Reid
Janice is the Artistic Director of Belfast-based Replay Theatre Company. She received a BA (Hons) Theatre Studies from the University of Wales in 1999, and a Master’s in Drama and Performance Studies from Queen’s University Belfast in 2008. She has over 25 years’ experience working in theatre as a director, facilitator and actor, in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA, specialising in theatre for young audiences. Janice joined Replay full-time in 2010. There she established and ran Replay’s UP! programme –the company’s ground-breaking work for young disabled audiences. Becoming Artistic Director in 2016, Janice has directed shows for all types of audiences – from babies to teenagers, toddlers to tweens, disabled children and family audiences. Some of her shows include Dancing at the Disco at the End of the World, Baby Daddy, Lifeboat, The Untold Truth of Captain Hook, and Harbour –an opera for babies.
Her show Yes Sir, I Can Boogie! empowered young mobility-impaired audiences to get on the dance floor with the cast, and won an Arts & Business Award for Best Long-Term Partnership with business partner Leckey (creators of the revolutionary mobility aid the Upsee), while her show Mirrorball (at Lyric Theatre Belfast) was nominated for Best Show for Children and Young People at the UK Theatre Awards in 2023. She sat on the board of directors of ASSITEJ UK (Theatre for Young Audiences UK) for six years from 2017 to 2023 and is currently on the board of directors of Amadan Ensemble.
Composer
Duke Special
By nature, Duke Special (aka Belfast’s Peter Wilson) is a curious person. He is curious about music, theatre, books, poetry, art, love, life, redemption, death and 78RPM records. All of this is evidenced by the variety of musical adventures throughout his career, such as releasing 17 albums and EPs, touring extensively throughout the world, writing for theatre, and teaching songwriting and performance at BIMM University, Dublin.
Performing live is still one of Duke Special’s main passions. Whether he performs solo, as a duo with his long-time friend and percussionist Chip Bailey, with a full band, a string quartet or orchestra, a Duke Special show is always a unique experience.
When not writing songs for The Velveteen Rabbit, Duke is working on a new album.
Set & Costume Designer
Diana Ennis
Diana was born in Belfast; trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (MA in Set and Costume Design)
Lyric Theatre credits (Set and Costume Design): All Mod Cons; Macbeth
Lyric Theatre credits (Costume Design only): Sinners; The Beauty Queen of Leenane; The Tail of the Beauty and the Beast; The Northern Star; Pump Girl; The Miser
Other theatre credits include: Costume Design: Thursdays with Elvis (GBL); The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Cahoots NI); The Musicians of Bremen (Cahoots NI); Prism (Replay); La Bohème (Northern Ireland Opera); O Holly Night (Theatre at the Mill)
Set and Costume Design: The Adventures of Red (The MAC); Mirrorball (Replay); The Night Before Christmas (The MAC); Hook (Replay); A Christmas Carol (The MAC); Abigail’s Party (The MAC)
Film / TV / Animation credits (Costume Design): Funboys (BBC); Picklestorm – Seasons 1 & 2 (BBC); Galaxy Dance (Hazimation); Silverpoint – Season 1 (Zodiak/BBC); The B-Team (BBC); Nova Jones –Seasons 1, 2 & 3 (JAM Media / BBC); Shooting for Socrates (New Black Films)
Lighting Designer
Jonathan M. Daley
Jonathan is a writer and lighting designer based in Belfast.
Recent lighting design credits include: The Adventures of Red Riding Hood (The Mac, Belfast); The Gap Year 2025 & The Tragedy Of Richard III (Lyric Theatre, Belfast); All Growed Up (BYMT); I Always Liked The Name Marcus & Holding Ground (Tinderbox Theatre Company); Rose + Bud (Commedia of Errors); Touch Hear Feel (Helen Hall/Belfast International Arts Festival); Waiting For The Offo (Bosco Productions); No Citation (Bourke Productions); and Mirrorball & The Untold Truth of Captain Hook (Replay Theatre Company).
Jonathan’s written work has been performed all over the UK and Ireland.
Recent writing credits include: Sylvan (Tinderbox Theatre Company); The Revolution Will Be Streamed & Vection (Headrush, Ireland); Release & A Body, Twice (Ever Unique Productions).
Jonathan is currently working on a new play about the Belfast DeLorean factory, which started life as a Lyric Theatre Belfast seed commission.
Musical Director
Garth McConaghie
Musical Director and Composer for Channel 4’s Derry Girls, Garth’s music has been performed and broadcast all over the UK, Ireland and internationally as part of theatrical productions, exhibitions, art installations, films, television and radio.
Recent theatre credits include: Yerma (Tinderbox Theatre Co.); Rebus: A Game Called Malice (Festival Theatre, Edinburgh and touring); Mirrorball (Replay Theatre Co.); The Gap Year (Commedia of Errors, Lyric Theatre, Belfast); X’ntigone (Prime Cut Productions / MAC, Belfast); Burnt Out (Lyric Theatre, Belfast); Rhino (Tinderbox Theatre Co.); The Border Game (Prime Cut Productions); In the Name of the Son (GBL Productions); Rebus: Long Shadows (Birmingham Repertory Theatre); Bouncers (Big Telly / MAC Belfast)
Theatrical children’s scores include: A Christmas Carol (Lyric Theatre, Belfast); The Adventures of Red Riding Hood, The Night Before Christmas, A Christmas Carol, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Hansel and Gretel, Pinocchio (MAC Belfast); Egg, Nivelli’s War, Penguins, Duck, Death and the Tulip, Shh! We Have a Plan, Under the Hawthorn Tree (Cahoots).
Choreographer
Eileen McClory
Eileen McClory was the recipient of the Arts Council Northern Ireland Major Individual Award Artist 2022, the highest value honour bestowed on artists in Northern Ireland, the inaugural Belfast City Council Artist Bursary 2021, and was Belfast International Arts Festival Artist in Residence 2020/22. Eileen is fascinated by the potential of creating experimental, original, and innovative work through collaborative interactions with different practices in arts and media.
She has lead a diverse range of choreographic commissions, including Quotidian: Word on the Street BIND 2021 (dance film), Maiden Voyage Dance Company’s Epilogue 2021(film installation) and BRINK 2020, The Playhouse Derry’s TURF 2018, and Tinderbox Theatre Company’s CUCK 2017. As the creative director of Off the Rails Dance, Eileen has choreographed and produced ROOTS, part of BELFAST 2024, GUTTER 2023, The Dutiful Wife 2016, and S(3)nsored 2011.
Replay Theatre Company has been making theatre adventures for younger audiences since 1988. We affirm every child’s right to relax, play, and participate in fun cultural and artistic activities. Inspired by this purpose, for more than 35 years we have been producing shows for children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. develop and tailor our work to engage and inspire four key audiences under the age of 19.
Early Years audiences
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1 Primary audiences
3 Young disabled audiences
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With a rich, inclusive history of theatre for young audiences we hope to continue in our purpose which is to create world class theatre especially for young audiences. We will continue to do this simply because it is every child’s human right to have their lives enriched through the art.
Our Purpose
Replay’s purpose is to create world class theatre especially for young audiences, because it is every child’s human right to have their lives enriched through the arts
Our Vision
Enriching the lives of young audiences in Northern Ireland and beyond through valued, world class theatre.
Your Support Matters
Replay Theatre Company is a registered charity and much of the work we do with young audiences in special schools is offered for free. This means we rely on your support. To make a donation follow this code
LYRIC THEATRE - PLAYHOUSE FOR ALL
It’s a creative hub for theatre-making, a safe space for nurturing talent and embodies an unwavering passion for creating meaningful connections through theatre and the arts. We’ve always done things a little differently at the Lyric. From its beginnings in 1951 in the home of our founder Mary O’Malley, to its permanent home on Ridgeway Street in 1968, this special place has been a springboard for internationally acclaimed playwrights, poets and actors. As Northern Ireland’s premiere full-time theatre to produce its own productions from page to stage, we care deeply about maintaining a high-quality, diverse and inclusive programme that captures the imaginations of our audiences, leaving them changed, charged and empowered.
OUR MISSION
We are a shared civic space for artists and audiences alike; a creative hub for theatre-making, nurturing talent and promoting the critical role of the arts in society. Our mission is to create, entertain, and inspire.
OUR VALUES
We are welcoming: The Lyric Theatre is an inclusive and accessible space for all: a creative place to play, learn, question and explore.
We are nurturing: Our goal is to galvanise, and empower artists, whilst nurturing new generations of talent through the Lyric Drama Studio and our Creative Learning and New Writing programmes.
We inspire and entertain: We aim to provide theatre experiences that entertain and inspire; challenging audiences to explore their own and other stories.
