The Lord Lieutenant for Derry Ian Crowe was ‘bowled over’ by the talent on display at the city’s multi award-winning Stage Beyond Theatre Company. Stage Beyond artistic director Dee Conaghan was recently awarded an OBE “for services to Theatre and to Education for Adults with Learning Disabilities”. The Derry woman was among seven recipients of an OBE in Northern Ireland announced in the King’s New Year Honours List 2025. She was presented with the insignia by Prince William during an investiture at Windsor Castle last month. During a follow-up visit to share in the celebrations with Stage Beyond who are based at the Millennium Forum, Lord Lieutenant Ian Crowe congratulated Dee Conaghan and paid tribute to the high-quality participant-led theatre company which was founded in 2002. The Lord Lieutenant – who is the King’s personal representative in the city -commented that the time he spent with Stage Beyond and short performance was “incredibly humbling”, adding: “The talent and acting on show was so good and very funny. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking to the performers and look forward to attending their next public performance. A huge thank you for the invite.” Dee Conaghan added: “We had a wonderful morning with the Lord Lieutenant and delighted he found the time to meet us all. He was of course bowled over with the talent on display. We are all looking forward to welcoming him to our next show.” Commenting on the announcement of her OBE earlier in the year, she said she was “happy to accept the award as a reflection of the profound impact and joy that drama can bring to people’s lives.” Stage Beyond Theatre Company is supported by National Lottery funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Community Festival Fund 2025-2026. For more information visit www.stagebeyond.com and Facebook @stagebeyond, TikTok @stagebeyondtheatreco and Instagram @stagebeyond2023 PICTURED BELOW: Lord Lieutenant Ian Crowe
IN PICTURES: Lord Lieutenant 'bowled over' by Derry's Stage Beyond Theatre Company
Lord Lieutenant Ian Crowe paid tribute to the high-quality participant-led theatre company which was founded in 2002
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Lord Lieutenant Ian Crowe pictured with Dee Conaghan and some of the staff of Beyond Theatre Company during his recent visit.
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Lord Lieutenant Ian Crowe chats with Stage Beyond Theatre Company members Niamh Porter, Lee Snodgrass, Alison Smyth, Isobel Sharkey and Kevin Harkin. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)
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Lord Lieutenant Ian Crowe and Stage Beyond Theatre Company Artistic Director Dee Conaghan pictured during a performance by company members at last week's visit to the Millennium Forum, Derry.
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Lord Lieutenant Ian Crowe and Dee Conaghan, Artistic Director of Stage Beyond pictured with company member Bernadette Foley from Strabane during last week's event at the Millennium Forum, Derry. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)
