MAC Launch

The official launch of the brand new 18 million pound Metropolitan Arts Centre – MAC was a very swish affair in the lavish surroundings of the Harbour Commissioners Office. There was opening speeches by First Minister Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the Director of the Arts Council Bob Collins. Then Mariella Frostrup who presents for the BBC was the host for the panel discussions with a small selection of Northern Irelands “top” performers and artists. in the second panel alongside Duke Special (a singer/musician, mucker will have heard of him) and Owen McCafferty (Northern Ireland’s greatest living playwrite) was Leonie McDonagh, Artistic Director of ponydance! She was witty, charming, not to mention very intelligent and glamorous and the most entertaining speaker of the afternoon.. slight exaggeration, but enough about me. Praise of the hour goes to the MAC team, Anne McReynolds, Gillian Mitchell, Áine McVerry, Christine Bowen, Caroline Rooney, Maeve Lewis… and they are just the ones I know… who have made this happen. It really is something special. I’m overwhelmingly proud to be part of it. Our new show Straight to DVD is going to rock! Buy your tickets now http://themaclive.com/whats-on/straight-to-dvd/