Lyric Theatre

The Lyric Theatre stands on Lyric Square off King Street in Hammersmith, London. It began in 1888 as a music hall on Bradmore Grove and was rebuilt twice by Frank Matcham in the 1890s. In 1966 the building was saved from demolition and moved piece by piece to its present site. The theatre reopened in 1979 with a 565-seat Main House and a 120-seat Studio. A 2015 redevelopment added new community facilities designed by Rick Mather Architects. The artistic director is Rachel O’Riordan, who took over from Sean Holmes in 2019. The Lyric is recognised for its bold productions and community work. It won an Olivier Award in 2011 for Sean Holmes’ staging of Sarah Kane’s Blasted. The theatre runs five strands: Main House, Studio, Music & Comedy, Lyric Children and Lyric Young Company. Recent seasons have included classics like A Doll’s House and new plays such as City of Glass. Family shows like Cinderella and Bugsy Malone attract younger audiences. Visitors find a 19th-century auditorium preserved in the Main House alongside a modern Studio space. The building now includes facilities for young people and local groups. Performances range from Shakespeare to contemporary comedy and Sunday night comedy nights. The theatre’s programme supports emerging companies and local talent. Its programme of events changes regularly, offering fresh experiences on each visit.