WHAT a performance - the doors of Bridport's Lyric Theatre have been adorned with some striking artwork, and already have been turning heads.
Residents may well have spotted the new additions to the building on Barrack Street.
Vibrant murals of a couple kissing are prominently displayed on the front doors of the theatre along with more theatrical-themed work on the side doors on Rax Lane.
The creations were painted by two Bridport artists, Marina Renee-Cemmick and Imi Neylan.
Marina makes drawings, paintings, large-scale murals and performances based around the human body. She grew up in Bridport and was hugely influenced by her early exposure to dance and performance in the area.
Niki McCretton, owner and artistic director of The Lyric Theatre, worked with Marina when she was a member of Bridport Youth Dance and BACstage Youth Theatre. Having enjoyed watching Marina’s creative career flourish, Niki was keen for her to produce some work in Bridport.
She offered Marina the Lyric Theatre’s doors to paint on, which another local artist, Imi Neylan, had already begun to work on last summer. Imi is an emerging young artist based in Bridport, who approached Niki last summer along with some of her friends, expressing a keen interest in creating some outside artwork.
Marina and Imi worked in collaboration to create the vibrant artworks on the theatre’s doors, researching and sharing ideas, before producing the finished product.
Delphine Jones, programmer at the Lyric Theatre, said: “Their bold designs are in turns beautiful and fun, and offer viewers an uplifting feeling of hope and reconnection for the days ahead.
"We are absolutely thrilled with the results and so are the public, it seems – lovely comments have been flooding in. We want to say a huge thank you to Marina and Imi.”
The artwork caught the eye of local resident Alan Lindley who said: "If anyone is feeling down, or the lockdown is getting to you, take a stroll up Barrack Street in and look at the large front doors of the Lyric Theatre.
"On the two front doors an artist, with a fantastic ability and imagination, has painted two heads, and when the doors are closed the heads are kissing. Beautifully done and colourful, while conveying a real feeling of love.
"To see more just turn left into Rax Lane and look at nore work, on other entrances to the theatre, which are equally inspiring, and will make you smile. I cannot say who the artists are because I do not know them, but if that is street art then I want more of it.
"Thank you Lyric Theatre for allowing such works to be done on your doors; uplifting indeed."
The Lyric's next project will be starting at the end of March running through to April, and will see the team taking art and performance out of the building into areas of the town with various artists.
Public performances have not been able to be staged inside the theatre since the start of the pandemic last March and the team are awaiting further news from the government regarding further lifting of restrictions.
Throughout the lockdown the team at the Lyric has been keeping busy, creating projects and inviting people in the community to take part where they can, whether that’s coming to enjoy the murals, making a 'Story Window' or engaging with them on social media.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here