'Faith Healer' and 'God of Carnage' in Lyric Hammersmith's upcoming season

Brian Friel's and Yasmina Reza's plays will be staged as part of the Off-West End theatre's latest season. Productions are scheduled through March 2024.

Lyric Hammersmith has announced five new productions for its upcoming season.

“These plays are an interrogation of identity, truth, and the power of storytelling. How reliable are the stories history tells us, or those that we tell each other and ourselves? Theatre generates open debate and conversation; it provokes, challenges, and can also create a unique sense of unity in an audience” said artistic director Rachel O’Riordan.

Christopher Hampton translates Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage, with performances from 1 to 30 September. The French play follows two sets of parents whose children found themselves in an altercation in a public park. Press material states: “they say kids will be kids, but the adults are worse.” Nicholai La Barrie directs.

The season continues with Tanika Gupta's The Empress, in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Pooja Ghai directs the historical drama — set in the late 19th century, 16-year-old Rani arrives at Tilbury docks to start a new life in Britain. The show features design by Rosa Maggiora, lighting design by Matt Haskins, music and sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, and movement by Wayne Parsons. The Empress runs from 4 to 28 October.

Pantomime returns to the Lyric Hammersmith in 2023 with Cinderella. Vikki Stone writes the pantomime, with performances from 18 November to 6 Jan. 2024. As previously announced, Lemn Sissay’s adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis plays from 1 February to 2 Mar. 2024.

Rachel O’Riordan then directs Brian Friel’s Faith Healer, with performances from 14 March to 13 Apr. 2024. Faith Healer follows Frank Hardy as he promises miracle cures for one day only. However, his gift puts him tête-à-tête with his wife Grace, and manager Teddy.

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre's next shows are Accidental Death of an Anarchist and The Good Person of Szechwan.

Photo credit: Lyric Hammersmith (Photo courtesy of production)