Lyric Hammersmith to reopen in June with triple bill of new plays

Three plays will be presented as one production called 'Out West'.

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre will once again reopen its doors this summer with a trio of world premiere plays. The three works will be performed together as one collective titled Out West, with performances from 18 June - 24 July.

As well as in-person performances, Out West will also be available to livestream from 12 - 17 July.

Rachel O'Riordan, artistic director and CEO of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre said: "Out West is the production that reopens our doors after the enforced closure due to the pandemic. All three plays speak to our current moment; questions of race, geography, identity, belonging and hope run through all three. Theatre has the power to move, to challenge and to entertain. It is also the medium through which, for centuries, human beings have attempted to understand each other and the world around us. I cannot think of a more necessary moment for theatre than now."

The three plays which make up Out West are as follows:

The Overseas Student: Set in Victorian England, a teenage Ghandi is sent to the UK to study Law, but struggles against class and imperialism. The Overseas Student is by Tanika Gupta, who recently adapted A Doll's House to be set in India.

Blue water and cold and fresh: Set in present-day London, a white adult male confronts his late father's racist attitudes and behaviour. Simon Stephens' latest play explores what it means to be a father, husband and son.

Go, Girl: Roy Williams' latest play tells of Donna, once singing to First Lady Michelle Obama at school and now a Westfield security guard, Donna's life hasn't played up to her initial expectations. While raising her teenage daughter, Donna quickly learns just how remarkable they are.

Out West is directed by O'Riordan and Diane Page, with scenic and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun and sound design by Simon Slater. The entire run will be performed socially distanced.

Out West is at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 18 June - 24 July. 

^{Photo credit: Simon Stephens, Roy Williams and Tanika Gupta (Photos by Kevin Cummins and courtesy of Lyric Hammersmith)}