A north coast drama group left homeless by the closure of Coleraine’s Riverside Theatre has thanked Causeway Coast & Glens Council for financial support.

Ballywillan Drama Group said it was ‘sincerely grateful’ for the support of a one-off grant of £850 through Council’s Culture, Arts and Heritage Funding Programme.

This funding made a meaningful difference to the group’s recent sell-out production of ‘The Best of Broadway and the West End 3’ in Portrush Town Hall. It supported, not only the practical costs of staging productions, but also the wider value that community theatre brings and recognition of the many unpaid hours volunteers give to make local theatre possible.

A spokesperson for Ballywillan Drama Group said: “We are extremely grateful to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for this support through its Culture, Arts and Heritage Funding Programme.

Ballywillan Drama Group is sincerely grateful for the support of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council through its Culture, Arts and Heritage Funding Programme, through which it was awarded a one-off grant of £850.

placeholder image — Ballywillan Drama Group is sincerely grateful for the support of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council through its Culture, Arts and Heritage Funding Programme, through which it was awarded a one-off grant of £850.

"For voluntary arts organisations, this kind of investment really matters. It helps us meet the practical costs of staging community theatre, but it also recognises the wider social value of what groups like ours do, creating opportunities for young people, bringing people together across generations and communities, and keeping local creativity active and accessible for everyone.

"At a time when arts provision on the North Coast has faced significant challenges, Ballywillan believes this support sends an encouraging message about the importance of sustaining local talent, creativity and cultural life across Coleraine and the wider Causeway Coast and Glens Borough.”

The group is now looking ahead to its next major production, with booking now open for Disney’s Frozen the musical, which will run from January 31, 2027, until February 6, 2027 at Coleraine Leisure Centre.

The spokesperson added: “We’re delighted that booking is now open for our next production. It’s a show full of heart, magic and excitement, and we can’t wait to bring it to audiences in Coleraine. We’re also encouraged by the Council’s support and by its work with us to help make this production possible at Coleraine Leisure Centre.”

Rehearsals for this magical musical production haven’t even started and tickets are already selling for what promises to be THE show of 2027!

To book, check out the group’s website www.ballywillan.com, telephone: 07359 144 879 (Box Office hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 11am–3pm voicemail available outside these hours) or email [email protected].