New Lyric Hammersmith season

Sean Holmes' final Lyric Hammersmith season announced

Will Longman
Will Longman

The final season of outgoing artistic director Holmes at the Lyric Hammersmith has been announced, and it will include a new play with music from Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke.

Written by Matt Jones with songs by Okereke, Leave to Remain will star Tyrone Huntley (Jesus Christ Superstar) when it gets its premiere at the theatre in January. It tells the story of a young gay couple faced with an uncertain future, and explores what happens when a couple's marriage has consequences for their families.

The piece, which runs from 18th January, will be directed by Robby Graham and designed by Rebecca Brower. You can listen to a track from the show, "Not The Drugs Talking", as performed by Okereke, below.

On premiering the play, Holmes said: "We have brought leading artists from different fields together - Matt is one of the UK's leading television writers, Kele is an astonishing musical talent, both as a solo artist and with his band Bloc Party, Robby [Graham, director] has a beautifully physical choreographic style and Rebecca [Brower, designer] is an exciting award-winning designer.

"They are creating something unique for us and I can't wait to experience this truly special piece of work."

Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson's horror Ghost Stories is set to return to the Lyric following runs in the West End, across the world and most recently, a major motion picture starring Martin Freeman, Paul Whitehouse, Alex Lawther and Nyman himself. The play, which originally premiered in Liverpool before transferring to the Lyric and then Arts Theatre, runs from 29th March.

The season also sees revivals of 1927 Theatre Company's The Animals and Children Took to the Streets from 19th February, and Kneehigh's Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs), from 21st May.

The Animals and Children... is directed and written by Suzanne Andrade and brings to life the city of Bayou as a mother and daughter arrive one evening before horror unfolds. Carl Grose's Dead Dog..., directed by Mike Shepherd, follows the assassination of a mayor, and is based on the Beggar's Opera, which ran for almost 1,500 performances at the Lyric in 1920.

The Lyric has also announced the next Evolution Festival, a four-day event to support young artists in London, and a continuation of the Lyric Ensemble, a group of young actors who work together regularly at the theatre over a 9 month period.

Originally published on

Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock exclusive London theatre updates!

  • Get early access to tickets for the newest shows
  • Access to exclusive deals and promotions
  • Stay in the know about news in the West End
  • Get updates on shows that are important to you

You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy