At Yellow House Publishing, we have always believed that the stories shaping our cultural life deserve to be preserved with care, honesty and independence. With that conviction, we are deeply proud to announce the publication of A Better Locksmith, (2026) a landmark new anthology by acclaimed Belfast arts journalist and critic Jane Coyle.
For more than four decades, Jane has chronicled Northern Ireland’s theatre with a clarity of voice and a generosity of spirit that few writers can match. Her work featured in The Irish Times, The Stage, Culture Northern Ireland and BBC Northern Ireland. Jane's reviews and features has long been essential reading for those seeking to understand the evolution of performance across the region. As publisher, it is a privilege to gather her insights, profiles and reflections into a single volume that charts fifty years of artistic endeavour. What makes A Better Locksmith so compelling is not simply its historical weight, but the humanity at its core. These are stories of actors finding courage, writers carving out space for new voices, directors testing boundaries, and communities discovering themselves through performance. Jane’s writing reminds us that theatre is not merely entertainment it is the ongoing record of who we are and the heartbeat of civil society in Northern Ireland. We are also delighted to acknowledge Professor David Grant, whose thoughtful and generous introduction enriches the book further. His contribution provides both context and celebration, framing Jane’s work within the wider landscape of Northern Ireland’s artistic development. We extend our sincere thanks for his time, insight and longstanding dedication to theatre. Dr Connal Parr who edited the collection and has worked closely with Jane on finalising the work and Hanna Nelson for her technical editing.
At Yellow House Publishing, we remain committed to operating as a free press, supporting unfettered free speech within Common Law. Publishing work of this kind intelligent, independent, and unafraid to honour the truth of artistic experience is central to that mission. As we release A Better Locksmith into the world, we invite readers, theatre-makers and cultural observers alike to revisit the productions, personalities and turning points that have shaped our stages. Jane’s archive is not just a collection of reviews and features; it is a chronicle of a resilient, imaginative and ever-evolving community.
In celebrating this book, we celebrate the theatre-makers of Northern Ireland past, present and emerging and we are honoured to play our part in ensuring their stories endure. A Better Locksmith release date 19th June 2026.
Christoph Thackaberry
YHP Publisher