Margery Williams’s much-loved children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit, is to be turned into a musical by Belfast’s Lyric Theatre and Replay Theatre and premièred as part of the Belfast Children’s Festival in 2025.
First published in 1922 and constantly in print since then, Williams’s classic book will be adapted by writer Jan Carson—whose novel The Fire Starters won the European Union Prize for Literature in 2019—with music and lyrics by Duke Special, a former Lyric Theatre artist-in-residence whose previous stage work includes Mother Courage and Her Children at the National Theatre.
Jimmy Fay, the Lyric’s Executive Producer, describes the show as “a nostalgic, fun and tender tale of a boy, his favourite toy and how being loved can make us real. A story about growing up and figuring out where you fit in. It really is a story for all seasons”.
Replay’s artistic director Janice Kernoghan-Reid will direct, with music direction by Garth McConaghie and choreography by Eileen McCrory. Set and costumes will be designed by Diana Ennis, with lighting by Jonathan M Daley.
The Velveteen Rabbit will run at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast from March 14–30.