Prime Cut Productions

Prime Cut Productions, an independent theatre company based in Belfast, was formed in 1992 by Jackie Doyle, Aidan Lacey, Simon Magill, and Stuart Marshall. Originally operating as Mad Cow Productions, the company produced a wide repertoire of challenging and eclectic performances inspired by marginalised society and culture in Northern Ireland. Their first production was the Irish premiere of Jim Cartwright’s play, Two, at the Old Museum Arts Centre in 1992. Other renowned productions include the multi-award-winning play Scorch, by playwright Stacey Gregg, directed by Emma Jordan in 2015, and The Heights; a community engagement production with Ardoyne Women’s Group and New Lodge Arts written by Lisa Magee and directed by Alison McCrudden, 2009. Prime Cut have produced over 50 Irish and Northern Irish premieres from countries around the world, as well as showcasing new plays by UK and Irish playwrights. Through their Artistic Development and Community Engagement programmes, the company has worked to raise the quality and reception of theatre in Northern Ireland, offering international training opportunities for Northern Irish theatre professionals and opportunities for access and participation in the arts for diverse communities.

This archive contains a selection of material from the Prime Cut Productions archive at the Linen Hall Library, including a brochure commemorating the 10th anniversary of Prime Cut, as well as letters, flyers, programmes, and invitations to their plays, Death and the Maiden (1994), The Chance (2002), Problem Child (2000), American Buffalo, Coronation Voyage (2001), Brilliant Traces (1998), Shopping and F***ing (2001), and Mad Cow production, Two (1992). A further archive of the Company's productions dating back to 1992, can be viewed here: https://www.primecutproductions.co.uk/productions