Lisnagarvey’s roots go back to 1928 when it was known as the Lisburn Choral and Orchestral Society. It continued to mount mainly Gilbert & Sullivan productions until the late 1930s when its activities were suspended due to the war. The current Society dates back to 1957 when it was reformed from the nucleus of the then Lisnagarvey Male Voice Choir. Over the years the variety of rehearsal locations has included Wallace High School, The Lombard Café and the Assembly Rooms in Lisburn. Since the early 1980s however the Society’s rehearsal base has been located at Dalboyne Court on the Belsize Rd.
Main productions were performed in the Orange Hall, Lisburn until the early 1970s when they moved to Lisburn Technical College. From 1991 until it closed in 1998 we used the Arts Theatre, Belfast. The next few shows were in Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn. Following this nomadic existence, the theatre facilities in the Island Hall in Lisburn City Council’s prestigious Lagan Valley Island have been our home since 2001.
Throughout its existence the Society has carried out a challenging programme of activities as the list of productions illustrates. We can boast the longest unbroken Pantomime performances anywhere in the province dating from 1972 to present time. In addition the Society has participated frequently in the Northern Ireland and the Waterford Festivals of Light Opera and the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) award scheme often with distinction by winning awards for individual and group performances.
In addition to main productions the Society and the Youth Society, formed in 1993, have engaged in a busy programme of concerts to raise many thousands of pounds for a variety of charitable organisations. In the 1970s a Drama section produced many of local playwright Sam Cree’s plays.
The Society is in great heart and is vibrant, healthy and successful; this is a fine tribute to all those who over the years have assisted the Society in so many different ways.