From Derry to Mars: County Derry choreographer brings space-age dance to the Lyric

After years spent performing as a ballet dancer across Europe and North America County Derry choreographer, Ruaidhrí Maguire is making his mark on Belfast’s Lyric Theatre with the bold new dance work. 

The View from Mars, running in the Naughton Studio from 20–22 February 2025, brings together cutting-edge choreography, live music, and digital art to explore masculinity and mental health through movement. The piece marks the long-awaited return of local dance to the venue after eight years.

The one-act dance piece follows a lone space traveller cast adrift from Earth. Through a journey of self-discovery, the traveller navigates a void of memories, regrets, and nostalgia, exploring themes of masculinity and mental health.

Marking the return of local dance to the Lyric after eight years, Executive Producer Jimmy Fay said: “We’re thrilled to welcome local dance back to the Lyric after 8 years with this exciting young company. Six Dance Collective brings a bold and fresh approach to ballet, offering Belfast audiences something truly unique. The View from Mars promises a striking new dance experience in the intimate setting of our Naughton Studio.”

Raised in Moneymore, Maguire’s journey into professional dance was an unlikely one. Coming from a rural background where ballet was far from the norm, he forged his own path, training at Central School of Ballet in London before beginning and extensive career as a dancer which took him to the USA, Canada and Poland, with his choreographic career flourishing alongside. In 2023, he co-founded Six Dance Collective with Co. Down composer Amelia Clarkson to expose Northern Ireland’s audiences the adventurous artform of ballet and dance.

The View from Mars follows a lone space traveller, cast adrift from Earth and confronting memories, regrets, and nostalgia. At its core, the piece is a reflection on isolation and the pressures of masculinity—themes Maguire has long considered, shaped by his experiences both in and beyond the dance world.

Ruaidhrí said: “The View from Mars explores what it means to feel cast adrift yet still search for purpose. The world of dance was a huge leap from my rural Moneymore upbringing, and yet movement has meaning beyond what words can achieve. Our story is set in space, but the emotions are its heart –masculinity, mental health, and identity—are very real.”

Conan McIvor and Ruaidhri Maguire pictured during rehearsals. (Photo credit: Amelia Clarkson)

Joining Maguire in the unique collaboration is an all-local creative team: Donaghadee composer Amelia Clarkson and Ballinderry visual artist and theatre maker Conan McIvor. Maguire’s highly athletic choreography is performed by dancer Dominic Harrison, who makes his Belfast debut alongside Clarkson’s evocative score performed live by renowned Belfast cellist David McCann.

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The piece is produced in association with Ballet Ireland. This production marks Six Dance Collective’s first fully professional work, following the success of their inaugural show, White Doves (The MAC, 2023), which brought 28 young dancers together for Belfast’s first newly created ballet.

The View from Mars runs from 20–22 February 2025 in the Naughton Studio at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. Tickets are available now at lyrictheatre.co.uk/whats-on/ the-view-from-mars