Lyric Hammersmith

Heart of Hammersmith

Applications are open for young people interested in being part of Heart of Hammersmith. To apply you must be aged 18-25 and currently live in West London (Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond Upon Thames and Wandsworth). Heart of Hammersmith is the Lyric’s new large-scale community production, which will open in Summer 2021, the production will celebrate and tell the stories of the people and community of Hammersmith. Working directly with the people of West London who will create the production from their stories, alongside a team of professional creatives including co-directors Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan and the Lyric’s resident Assistant Director Alex Hurst. The production will be led by a group of 15 young people recruited from West London and aged 18-25. They will shape and develop the direction of the production, and they will recruit other members of their community to be involved with the show, to create a truly inter-generational production. Head to our website to find more and apply: https://bit.ly/34aWtHg

Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas Trailer

Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Back for another brilliant bloomin’ year. Christmas isn’t Christmas without this Lyric family favourite. Book now to stream the online version of Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, filmed especially for you this year. The performance will be available to watch anytime between 9 – 24 Dec, so you can choose the time to best suit the rest of your festive plans!

Help us raise £50,000 so we can continue to support our local community

We need your help to raise £50,000. If you can, please donate to our crowdfunder campaign: bit.ly/2Sf0Uuf Our Executive Director, Sian Alexander said: The Lyric is a theatre that has served its local community for 125 years. So we hope that at this time of crisis, following our closure due to Covid, that our community will help us to survive. Every year we give thousands of free tickets to our local community and to schools. So if you were one of the 50,000 people over the last 10 years who has enjoyed a a Free First night here in this theatre or maybe your child's class has come to our Panto for free; then please consider donating to our crowdfunder and help us to raise £50,000. We will reopen the Lyric, but only with your help. Thank you.

Help us raise £50,000 so we can get artists back on our stage

We need your help to raise £50,000. If you can, please donate to our crowdfunder campaign: bit.ly/2Sf0Uuf Our Artistic Director, Rachel O'Riordan said: When I started as the Artistic Director of the Lyric last year I promised world-class theatre from the heart of Hammersmith. Over 20,000 audiences saw my first production of Tanika Gupta’s brilliant ‘A Doll’s House’ with the award nominated performance by Anjana Vasan, which I was delighted we could share with even more people with the free broadcast. Due to Covid there are many more brilliant pieces of work that we’ve not been able to put on this stage for our audiences. The Lyric is an incredibly special theatre and so many talented artists have worked on this stage in this beautiful Matcham theatre. Help us to bring those artists back to our stage and give whatever you can afford to our Crowdfunder campaign. We will reopen the Lyric, but only with your help. Thank you.

Help us raise £50,000 to ensure young people can return to the Reuben Foundation Wing again

We need your help to raise £50,000. If you can, please donate to our crowdfunder campaign: bit.ly/2Sf0Uuf Our Director of Young Lyric, Rob Lehmann: Before we closed over 700 young people would enter the Reuben Foundation Wing. They’d fill the space with their energy and excitement. They brought this space to life to take part in music classes, dance classes, acting classes and workshops. They would learn new skills, gain in confidence and independence, find out who they are and who they want to be. During lockdown we’ve been able to continue working with many young people in our community through our keyworkers project and continuing to provide opportunities and pathways into theatre. We want to return to doing more and see this space full again as soon as we can do safely. Help us to fill this space with the young people who will need our help more than ever and give whatever you can afford to our Crowdfunder campaign. We will reopen the Lyric, but only with your help. Thank you.

We need your help to raise £50,000

Please help us raise £50,000 by donating to our crowdfunder here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/lyrichammersmiththeatre In 2020 we celebrated our 125th birthday at the same time as having to close our doors. We are facing our biggest challenge in history. Watch this film of our Executive Director Sian Alexander and Artistic Director Rachel O'Riordan in our theatre as they tell you why we need your support now. We will only be able to reopen our beautiful theatre, and come through this challenge strong enough to support our community with your help. We are a charity. We rely on ticket, classes, bar and events sales for 75% of our income. None of these are possible while the building is closed. We have been closed for over 6 months. The emergency support from the government, whilst gratefully received, is not enough to ensure long term financial viability, or to fulfil our social mission within our community. We have sadly had to start a redundancy consultation in September in order to streamline the organisation to weather the ongoing uncertainty and ensure a long-term future for the Lyric. We are devastated that our closure has lead to some of our talented team being made redundant. We need your support now more than ever. Any donation, no matter how small, will help us survive this critical time.

Krystal Dockery

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, Krystal Dockery shares her Lyric memory. #Lyric125

Jeremy Dyson

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Jeremy Dyson. #Lyric125

Colin Tierney

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Colin Tierney. #Lyric125

Reece Shearsmith

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Reece Shearsmith. #Lyric125

Nicholai La Barrie

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Nicholai La Barrie, Lyric Artistic Associate and previously Director of Young Lyric. #Lyric125

Holly Mazur, Fulham Boys School

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Holly Mazur from Fulham Boys School. #Lyric125

Ali King - Turtle Key Arts

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Ali King, Artistic Director of Turtle Key Arts. #Lyric125

Hammed Animashaun

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Hammed Animashaun. #Lyric125

Jan Parnell - Assistant Director of Education, Hammersmith & Fulham Council

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Jan Parnell, the Assistant Director of Education at Hammersmith & Fulham Council. #Lyric125

Andy Nyman

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Andy Nyman. #Lyric125

Karl Queensborough

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, Karl Queensborough shares his Lyric memory. #Lyric125

Mel Giedroyc

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, a special birthday message from Mel Giedroyc. #Lyric125

Sheila Hancock - The Birthday Party

In celebration of the Lyric's 125th birthday, Sheila Hancock talks about seeing in 1958 and starring in 2008 in Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party at the Lyric. #Lyric125

Wendell Park Primary School - Letter from lockdown - Film 5

Written by keyworkers children from Wendell Park Primary School Overseen creatively by Simon Stephens Performed by Jacob Wayne-O’Neill Delivered in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council Edited by Simon Jenkins Whist the Lyric is closed due to Covid-19, we launched a project with keyworkers children from our home borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. During the project teachers and students were provided with bespoke digital resources and a learning guide via the Primary Learning Partnership. Over the course of three weeks, the children created characters and monologues, which were then performed digitally by emerging actors from Young Lyric. This is one of the films created. This activity has been supported by Engage. Children’s Art Week is run by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education and supported in 2020 by Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales and The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.

Wendell Park Primary School - Letter from lockdown - Film 4

Written by keyworkers children from Wendell Park Primary School Overseen creatively by Simon Stephens Performed by Kieton Saunders-Browne Delivered in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council Edited by Simon Jenkins Whist the Lyric is closed due to Covid-19, we launched a project with keyworkers children from our home borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. During the project teachers and students were provided with bespoke digital resources and a learning guide via the Primary Learning Partnership. Over the course of three weeks, the children created characters and monologues, which were then performed digitally by emerging actors from Young Lyric. This is one of the films created. This activity has been supported by Engage. Children’s Art Week is run by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education and supported in 2020 by Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales and The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.

Wendell Park Primary School - Letter from lockdown - Film 3

Written by keyworkers children from Wendell Park Primary School Overseen creatively by Simon Stephens Performed by Cloud Islay Gallagher Delivered in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council Edited by Simon Jenkins Whist the Lyric is closed due to Covid-19, we launched a project with keyworkers children from our home borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. During the project teachers and students were provided with bespoke digital resources and a learning guide via the Primary Learning Partnership. Over the course of three weeks, the children created characters and monologues, which were then performed digitally by emerging actors from Young Lyric. This is one of the films created. This activity has been supported by Engage. Children’s Art Week is run by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education and supported in 2020 by Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales and The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.

Wendell Park Primary School - Letter from lockdown - Film 2

Written by keyworkers children from Wendell Park Primary School Overseen creatively by Simon Stephens Performed by Shayde Sinclair Delivered in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council Edited by Simon Jenkins Whist the Lyric is closed due to Covid-19, we launched a project with keyworkers children from our home borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. During the project teachers and students were provided with bespoke digital resources and a learning guide via the Primary Learning Partnership. Over the course of three weeks, the children created characters and monologues, which were then performed digitally by emerging actors from Young Lyric. This is one of the films created. This activity has been supported by Engage. Children’s Art Week is run by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education and supported in 2020 by Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales and The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.

Wendell Park Primary School - Letter from lockdown - Film 1

Written by keyworkers children from Wendell Park Primary School Overseen creatively by Simon Stephens Performed by Obed Mayamona Delivered in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council Edited by Simon Jenkins Whist the Lyric is closed due to Covid-19, we launched a project with keyworkers children from our home borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. During the project teachers and students were provided with bespoke digital resources and a learning guide via the Primary Learning Partnership. Over the course of three weeks, the children created characters and monologues, which were then performed digitally by emerging actors from Young Lyric. This is one of the films created. This activity has been supported by Engage. Children’s Art Week is run by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education and supported in 2020 by Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales and The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.

Queensmill Primary School - Letter from lockdown

Written by keyworkers children from Queensmill Primary School Overseen creatively by Simon Stephens Performed by Pascale Kann Delivered in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council Edited by Simon Jenkins Whist the Lyric is closed due to Covid-19, we launched a project with keyworkers children from our home borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. During the project teachers and students were provided with bespoke digital resources and a learning guide via the Primary Learning Partnership. Over the course of three weeks, the children created characters and monologues, which were then performed digitally by emerging actors from Young Lyric. This is one of the films created. This activity has been supported by Engage. Children’s Art Week is run by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education and supported in 2020 by Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales and The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.

The busy theatre bees of Hammersmith

Learn more about the bees that live on the roof of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and continue to be hard at work even whilst we are closed.

Bombastic Rubbish – The Theatres of Frank Matcham

On Sunday 17 May, with Matcham Theatres across the UK, the Lyric celebrates the work of theatre designer Frank Matcham, who designed the Lyric's Main House. Co-directed by our talented 2020 Lyric Ensemble Playwright Titas Halder, Angel Sharp Media have shared with us this short film about one of the most influential individuals in theatre history. #Matcham100 ----- With no formal training the Victorian architect Frank Matcham designed a staggering number of theatres right across the UK to satisfy the public hunger for the delights of the music hall. Only 24 remain, including the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, and these opulent, gilded plaster palaces continue to transport theatregoers of all ages into a hidden world of fantastical glamour, and astonish actors with their unequalled acoustics and perfect sightlines. With contributions from actor Simon Callow and the president of the Frank Matcham Society John Earl, as well as theatre CEOs, technical managers, producers and architects, this colourful, irreverent and playful short film captures the visible and invisible magic of the remarkable spaces designed by Britain’s greatest ever theatre architect. From the Blackpool Grand to the Hackney Empire, the Cheltenham Everyman to the world famous London Coliseum, Bombastic Rubbish offers a mischievous and magical insight into these most flamboyant of British buildings. By Angel Sharp Media: https://www.angelsharp.com/ Directed by Daniel Nils Roberts & Titas Halder Edited by Daniel Nils Roberts Filmed by Hannah Madsen & Jonathan Brodie

Reuben Foundation Wing - #FiveYearsOn

On the 28 April 2020, the Lyric's Reuben Foundation Wing celebrates its fifth birthday. Whilst we are closed our Head of Operations Simon gives you a tour of this amazing part of our building dedicated to creating our work onstage and providing opportunities for young people and our community across West London. Thank you to all the funders and supporters of the Reuben Foundation Wing. If you can support the Lyric to ensure we can continue to deliver our shows and activities for young people please consider donating to the Lyric Recovery Fund: www.lyric.co.uk/lyric-recovery-fund

Faustus: That Damned Woman | Production Trailer

Faustus: That Damned | Interview with cast member Jodie McNee

Faustus: That Damned Woman | Interview with cast member Emmanuella Cole

Faustus: That Damned Woman | Interview with Director Caroline Byrne

Reactions: Noises Off at the Garrick Theatre

Watch Mark Gatiss, Mel Giedroyc, Lesley Manville , James Purefoy and more talk about how much they enjoyed Noises Off in the West End. Must end 04 Jan 2020. Find out more about the show here: https://bit.ly/2MbeCfy

Lily Arnold on A Doll's House

A Doll's House designer Lily Arnold discusses the process behind designing the set for the show.

Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas 2019 | BOOK NOW

Back for another brilliant year. Christmas isn’t Christmas without this Lyric family favourite. More info: https://bit.ly/2VSILqb

Arun Ghosh on A Doll's House

A Doll's House composer and live musician Arun Ghosh explains the layers to working on Tanika Gupta's reworking of Ibsen's classic.

Anjana Vasan on A Doll's House

Cast member Anjana Vasan (who plays Niru) explains what Tanika's Gupta's Indian setting does to this power dynamics of the marriage at the centre of this classic Ibsen play.

Andy Nyman & Jeremy Dyson Announce Ghost Stories West End Transfer

The cult hit #GhostStories transfers to the West End by popular demand from 03 Oct. Are you brave enough to book? Limited number of tickets, with no booking fee via Lyric Box Office: https://bit.ly/30uRXyX

2019/2020 Season On Sale Now

Just Announced: Rachel O’Riordan’s first season as Artistic Director

Audience Reactions: Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) | May 2019

Kneehigh's Dead Dog in a Suitcase comes to the Lyric Hammersmith 21 May - 15 June. Book now: https://bit.ly/2FgZica Video credits: Jen O'Brien & Savanna Gladstone.

Martin Freeman on Ghost Stories

Ghost Stories | Press Night Audience Reactions

Paranormal activity at the Lyric Hammersmith

“There have been a number of reports from staff of incidents in the building recently that we simply cannot explain. In the interest of safety, and acting on advice, we have made the decision to temporarily close the Lyric while we approach a team of experts to further investigate this matter.” - Sian Alexander, Exec Director

Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) | Kneehigh | Trailer

Ghost Stories

The original terrifying live production is back. Experience Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s worldwide cult phenomenon in the theatre where it all began. 29 Mar ‐ 11 May 2019 | Tickets from £10 | lyric.co.uk

The Animals and the Children took to the Streets | Production Trailer

Created by 1927. At the Lyric 19 Feb - 16 Mar 2019.

Leave To Remain | Production Trailer

Leave To Remain | Trailer (short edit)

Leave To Remain Trailer | (full version)

Leave To Remain | 18 Jan - 16 Feb | Lyric Hammersmith A modern love story with music by Bloc Party's Kele Okereke Written by Matt Jones and Kele Okereke Obi (Tyrone Huntley) and Alex (Billy Cullum) are a young gay couple leading busy London lives. When Alex’s visa comes into question, their relationship takes a turn. Marriage is an option, but the timing isn’t perfect, and it means confronting their families and their pasts. Told through a mix of music, movement and drama, Leave to Remain is a tender portrait of love in the face of an uncertain future, featuring original new songs by Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke performed by the cast. Tickets from £10: http://bit.ly/2CrXI7r ------ This video features the song The Sea Between Us, by Kele Okereke. An album of Kele's tracks from the show will be available to download and stream from 26 January 2019.