A total of 40 pupils got the chance to learn the skills comedians and actors employ on stage to get the most laughs from an audience. The project was funded by Arts & Business NI to complement Clear Pharmacy’s sponsorship of last year’s hit comedy The Painkiller starring Rob Brydon and Kenneth Branagh at the Lyric.

The comedy workshop at Lurgan Junior High School this week included pupils from Lismore Comprehensive in Craigavon.

Paul McEneaney, who led the workshop for the Lyric said: “We wanted to give the students an insight into a rehearsal practice and the techniques that actors use. Everything was slanted towards the comedy element. So we worked on comedy and timing slapstick, various different skills that comedians use. We did that rather than try and teach people how to be funny. It was really an induction into the world of acting of which comedy is a part.”

Siobhan McKerr (14) and Ellie McKenna (13) from Lismore Comprehensive said they enjoyed the workshop.

“I thought he taught you how to present things,” said Ellie. “He was funny when he caught people out.” Her friend Siobhan said: “I learnt about communication and acting. It was nice to meet new people too.”

Peter Beck (14) who is head-boy of Lurgan Junior High School took part in the workshop along with deputy head-boy Tom Bailey (14). “I think it was great, it was really interesting and I learnt a lot from it,” said Peter.

“I thought it was really interesting because of the different things we did and how to help different things on stage,” said Tom. “He showed us how to concentrate on stage.”

Philip Crawford, Lyric Creative Learning Co-ordinator, said the workshops were part of a successful series sponsored by Clear Pharmacy.

“Our first four workshops were in the Lyric in Belfast and we wanted to have the next round outside the city,” said Philip. “The theme of comedy fitted the bill perfectly after Clear Pharmacy’s sponsorship of The Painkiller. Arts & Business provided funding for the events in recognition of our two organisations working so productively together.”

Jayne Laughlin, Superintendent Pharmacist, Clear Pharmacy said, “The project gave Clear Pharmacy the opportunity to reinforce our objective of increasing access to the arts and strengthened our support and commitment to the communities we serve. Having received very positive feedback from the workshops held in Belfast in October 2011 we were very pleased the pupils from Lurgan Junior High School and Lismore Comprehensive willingly participated and enjoyed the workshops, taking away a few tricks of the trade. It certainly was a fun day out for all!”

For additional information see the following Lurgan Mail article.

Photograph Copyright Lurgan Mail

Starring Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon , The Painkiller was one of the biggest hits of the Lyric’s opening season in its new theatre, playing to audiences of over 10,000. In addition to the brand exposure gained through its sponsorship of The Painkiller, Clear Pharmacy identified comedy workshops as a project that would enable both them and the Lyric to increase access to the theatre arts to young people.

Students from Belfast Model School for Girls, Our Lady of Mercy Girls’ School, Belfast Boys’ Model, Victoria College Belfast and Royal Belfast Academical Institution all convened on the Lyric for a tour of the new theatre followed by a lesson in laughter from theatre professionals including Paul McEneaney, Artistic Director of Cahoots NI, and actors Dan Gordon and Michael Condron who were also paired in Dan’s play The Boat Factory. For many of the pupils though, Dan was more readily familiar as lovable psychopath Red Hand Luke in BBC Northern Ireland’s Give My Head Peace.

“Clear Pharmacy very much buys into the idea also that a healthy cultural landscape indicates a healthy society, and recognises that access to high-quality arts activities impacts on our well-being,” said Jayne Laughlin, Superintendent Pharmacist, Clear Pharmacy. “Sponsorship of The Painkiller enabled Clear Pharmacy to invest in and support the arts, via the Lyric, during its momentous opening year, while the comedy workshops project helped to meet our CSR objectives to significantly increase access to the arts.”

“Our theatre professionals gave pupils a critical analysis of what is (and is not!) funny, why it works and an insight into comedy acting techniques,” said Lyric Artistic Director Richard Croxford.

“This is, of course, about much more than simply a workshop on comedy – it introduced young people to the Lyric’s work, its new building, increased their knowledge and understanding of theatre arts and a producing theatre, as well as increasing their own self-esteem, confidence and skills. It provided them with a sense that they are more than welcome at the Lyric. And it’s just one of many projects run by our Creative Learning team to open up the theatre to more young people.”

“It was such fun, and has really helped the group develop friendships, as well as being such a source of valuable skills training,” said Rachel Ashe representing the cross-community visit from Belfast Model School for Girls’ and Our Lady of Mercy Girls’ School. “It will be a great asset to their Performing Arts portfolios.”

“Victoria College and RBAI ‘in Cahoots’ with comedy thanks to Clear Pharmacy”. “Best workshop I’ve ever been to,“ said Anna Lecky, pupil from Victoria College Belfast.

To find out more about the Lyric Theatre’s Creative Learning programme, log on to www.lyrictheatre.co.uk/learning

The Riddel Hall project brings together leaders and CEOs who will work to ensure that companies in Northern Ireland get a good deal from local government. And, working as a unique group of influencers outside these shores, they will guarantee that Northern Ireland companies are in a position to extend their influence world-wide.

With the economy a top priority for the Assembly, this transformational project fills a gap in the market for quality business and leadership education and will be critical to the economic future of Northern Ireland.

Other companies already signed up to Founder’s Club with Clear Pharmacy include Andor Technology, Belfast Harbour Commissioners, BT, Carillion Energy Series, Down Chemical Company Ltd, Gem, Greiner Packaging, Kainos, Liberty IT, MJM Group, Phoenix Natural Gas, SHS GRoup, Tayto, Tughans and Ulster Bank.

The quality of the education on offer at Riddel Hall is world-class. Professor Matthias Beck, an expert in Public Sector Management and Professor Ernst Verwaal whose expertise is in International Business, are amongst those who have taken up posts at Riddel. They will be working with companies offering bespoke courses aimed at solving specific business challenges for individual companies.

This exceptional business campus will also offer first-rate meeting and conference facilities.

Richard Gaston, Head of Marketing at the Lyric Theatre commented: “The idea of a pharmacy supporting a comedy entitled The Painkiller was too good to resist and we are delighted that Clear Pharmacy has seen the funny side! There are plenty of opportunities for businesses to get involved with the Lyric and we pride ourselves on producing high quality entertainment, indigenous work, thought-provoking theatre and contemporary satire.”

Jayne Laughlin, Clear Pharmacy’s Superintendent Pharmacist commented: “Clear Pharmacy continually works hard to develop and maintain relationships with other health care professionals and the communities we work in for their mutual benefit.  Our partnership with the Lyric Theatre offered us an excellent opportunity to unite all these various groups in what we hope will be a very entertaining and fun production for all.”

• Contact Details
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• Opening Hours

• Order your prescription from your health centre and advise them that it will be collected by Clear Pharmacy.
• Phone your local Clear Pharmacy branch and ask us to collect the prescription from the health centre.
• We will then collect the prescription and dispense it.
• Your prescription is then ready for you to collect or, if you are unable to get to the pharmacy, we can deliver straight to your door.

• Order your prescription from your health centre and advise them that it will be collected by Clear Pharmacy
• Phone your local Clear Pharmacy branch and ask us to collect the prescription from the health centre
• We will then collect the prescription and dispense it
• Your prescription is then ready for you to collect or, if you are unable to get to the pharmacy, we can deliver straight to your door

Participating Clear Pharmacy Branches

Antrim – 1 Fountain Hill
Antrim Health Centre
Banbridge – 21 Bridge Street
Ballyclare – 32 Rashee Road
Bangor – 5 Church Street
Bangor – 10 Church Street
Bangor – 1 Thornleigh Gardens
Bangor – 23 Clandeboye Road
Bangor – Unit 2 Green Road, Conlig
Belfast – 2 Drumart Square, Belfast
Belfast – 2 Mount Merrion Avenue
Belfast – Shankill Parade
Coleraine – 5 Waterside
Coleraine – 16 Waterside
L’Derry – 22 Rosemount Avenue
Lurgan – 18 High Street
Newtownabbey – Unit 31 Abbey Centre