Lyric Hammersmith

Details on Rachel O'Riordan's first season as artistic director at Lyric Hammersmith

Sophie Thomas
Sophie Thomas

Productions to be performed as part of the first season under the artistic direction of Rachel O'Riordan at the Lyric Hammersmith have been announced.

The season will feature seven new productions by playwrights including Henrik Ibsen and David Greig, as well as debut productions aimed at younger audiences.

Ahead of the 2019/2020 season at the theatre, Rachel O'Riordan said: "I'm delighted to be announcing my inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. I am very proud to be here. Join us for world class theatre from the heart of Hammersmith."

A Doll's House will be the first show directed by O'Riordan at the venue, in a new version by Tankia Gupta. Anjana Vasan will play the newly-named Niru in the show, running from 6th September to 5th October.

The Lyric Hammersmith will present Solaris, in a co-production with Malthouse Theatre Melbourne and the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. Adapted by Stanislaw Lem's science fiction novel, David Greig's stage adaptation follows three scientists as they make contact with a new planet. The production will run from 10th October to 2nd November. 

For the Christmas season, Tinuke Craig directs Jude Christian's Cinderella. The festive pantomime will be performed at the Lyric Hammersmith from 16th November to 5th January.

In 2020, O'Riordan will direct Love, Love, Love, written by Mike Bartlett. Set in 1967, the play follows Kenneth and Sandra, a couple as they build a family together in a time of national prosperity. The play will run from 5th March to 4th April.

Roy Alexander Weise directs Seamus Heaney's translation of Sophocles' Antigone: The Burial at Thebes. First written by Sophocles, the Ancient Greek story follows Antigone, who learns that her brothers have died after the war after being forced to kill one another. Sophocles' Antigone: The Burial at Thebes will run from 18th April to 16th May.

The Beauty Queen of Leenane is the final production announced as part of the season. Written by Martin McDonagh, the play follows Maureen, a middle-aged woman whose mother seems to halt her chances of falling in love. Dates for the production are to be announced.

Other productions as part of the season include the return of Raymond Brigg's Father Christmas as part of the Little Lyric autumn season, aimed for younger audiences. 

 

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