Owen Calvert Lyons - Bold Visions and Community-Driven Theatre at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

In Episode 54 of The Suffolk Pod Show, Owen Calvert Lyons, Artistic Director and CEO of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, offers an insightful look into the theatre's evolution and its deep-rooted commitment to community engagement.

Owen stepped into his role during the challenging times of the pandemic. Despite the theatre being dark and unsure when it could reopen its doors to the public again, he created a first for the theatre - taking the stage outdoors - into the heart of the town of Bury St Edmunds, so that audiences could still soak up the joy of theatre - bringing much needed fun, socialising and creativity to an otherwise very isolated time.

A Christmas Carol staged outside on Angel Hill during the lockdown 2021. Photo: Aaron Weight

A significant highlight of Owen's tenure is the commissioning of an original play centred on the Bury St Edmunds witch trials. This brilliant production underlines his passion for unearthing local stories and presenting them through compelling theatrical productions. A Tryal of Witches was a huge success with packed auditoriums, with a thrilling and frightening reality of what went on just a few centuries ago.

In August 2025 Owen will be directing Steve & Steff For Ever - an immersive and intoxicating love story staged live in the streets of Bury St Edmunds - a promenade production where the audience moves to different scenes around the town - this rom-com will take us all on a journey with two larger than life characters as they meet and - hopefully fall in love. This production is written by highly acclaimed TV and theatre writer Ian Jarvis (Beyond Paradise, Death in Paradise, We Can Be Heroes).

From the creative team behind A Christmas Carol (2021), this is an outdoor, promenade performance through the streets of Bury St Edmunds - 1 - 31 August 2025

Beyond the stage, the theatre has expanded its outreach, with its popular youth theatre and literacy projects. These thriving programmes emphasise the theatre's role as a community cornerstone. Owen also leads directing masterclasses, sharing his expertise and nurturing the next generation of theatre professionals. These sessions provide invaluable insights into the art of directing and the intricacies of theatrical production.​

Owen's vision is clear - Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds is more than a performance venue. His leadership emphasises inclusivity, community engagement, and the transformative power of bold storytelling. Through innovative productions and outreach programs, the theatre continues to be a dynamic space where art and community intersect seamlessly.

For more insights into Owen's vision and ambitions listen to the full episode here.

For the full programme of shows at Theatre Royal - visit here

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