Lyric Hammersmith Announces Autumn-Winter Season

After a year of critically acclaimed, box office breaking and award-winning shows, including aWest End transfer Artistic Director Sean Holmes announces the 2010/2011 Autumn Winter season for the Lyric Hammersmith.

In a season which will see the start of work on a majorcapital project to expand the theatre's facilities for young people, the Lyric presents excitingyoung talent and work from some of the greatest playwrights of modern times in Hammersmith,around the UK and in New York.See further details on everything that is happening at the Lyric at our new website: www.lyric.co.uk

‘Blasted, Panto's second coming, a first-time playwright, a dark take on Dahl, and RichardBean's latest play make for a thrilling forthcoming season.' Sean Holmes Artistic Director

•Following a sell-out run at the Lyric last autumn, Simon Stephens' award-winning play PUNK ROCK returns for two weeks only prior to a large scale national tour.

•In collaboration with Out of Joint the Lyric present the London premiere of RichardBean's new play THE BIG FELLAH directed by Max Stafford-Clark.

•Sean Holmes stages the first London revival in almost 10 years of Sarah Kane's seminal play BLASTED.

•The streets of Hammersmith will be paved with gold this Christmas as traditional pantomime returns with DICK WHITTINGTON

•Roald Dahl'S TWISTED TALES based on Dahl's dark short stories for adults,adapted for the stage for the first time by Ghost Stories writer Jeremy Dyson anddirector Polly Findlay, winner of the JMK Trust's young theatre director award.

•Winner of the George Devine Award 2010 and Bruntwood Playwriting Competition first time playwright Vivienne Franzman presents her play MOGADISHU

•The hugely successful Lyric production of METAMORPHOSIS makes its New Yorkpremiere at Brooklyn Academy Of Music as part of the 2010 New Wave Festival.

•Following its phenomenal success at the Lyric the West End transfer of Jeremy Dysonand Andy Nyman's GHOST STORIES is now booking until November 2010.

•Our regular SUNDAY COMEDY are back with a side-splitting mix of famousheadliners and rising stars, all handpicked by Richard Herring.

•LYRIC LOUNGE returns to the Lyric studio, showcasing the latest young artistic talent.

PUNK ROCK 06 - 18 September 2010

Press Night: Wednesday 08 September, 7pm

On tour: 21 Sep - 20 Nov 2010By Simon Stephens

Directed by Sarah Frankcom Designed by Paul Wills

Lighting by Philip GladwellSound by Pete Rice A LYRIC HAMMERSMITH AND ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE, MANCHESTER PRODUCTION

Following sell-out shows and rave reviews last year Punk RockPunk RockPunk RockPunk Rock returns to open the autumnseason for a limited two-week run prior to embarking on a nine-week large scale national tour.

Written by Lyric Artistic Associate, Simon Stephens, and directed by Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester co-Artistic Director, Sarah Frankcom; Punk Rock was applauded in 2009 for showcasing rising young acting talent in the UK. This production sees a young cast take Stephens' powerful play exposing the violence simmering beneath the surface of success within an English Grammar School on tour across the UK.

Winner of four Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards including Best New Play and Best Production. Nominated for two Evening Standard Theatre Awards and two Whatsonstage Awards. Simon Stephens' plays include A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky with David Eldridge and Robert Holman (2010, Lyric Hammersmith); Harper Regan (2008, National Theatre); Pornography (2007, Deutsche Schauspielhaus/2008, Hamburg/2009, Traverse Theatre/2009,Tricycle Theatre); Motortown (2006, Royal Court) and the Olivier award-winning On The Shoreof the Wide World (2005, Royal Exchange/National Theatre). Punk Rock will be touring to Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (21 - 25 Sep), Kings Theatre Edinburgh (28 Sep - 02 Oct), Birmingham Repertory Theatre (05 - 09 Oct), Eastbourne DevonshirePark (12 - 16 Oct), Salisbury Playhouse (19 - 23 Oct), Theatre Royal Plymouth (26 - 30 Oct). Oxford Playhouse (02 - 06 Nov), Curve Theatre Leicester (09 - 13 Nov) and Warwick ArtsCentre (16 - 20 Nov). Ages 14+

THE BIG FELLAH 21 September - 16 October 2010

Press Night: Friday 24 September, 7pm

A new play by Richard Bean

Directed by Max Stafford-Clark

Designed by Tim ShortallLighting by Jason Taylor Sound by Nick Manning

Cast includes Rory Keenan, Youssef Kerkour, Finbar Lynch, David Ricardo-Pearce, Claire Rafferty, Fred Ridgeway and Stephanie Street.

AN OUT OF JOINT AND LYRIC HAMMERSMITH PRODUCTION The Big Fellah , Richard Bean's new play about Irish Americans and their influence on theTroubles in Northern Ireland, will receive its London debut at the Lyric Hammersmith. Set in New York 1972, five men come together with a common purpose; to live the American dreamand to continue an almighty quest for freedom.

Richard Bean's witty and dark play spans threeturbulent decades of the IRA's brutal fight for independence.Richard Bean's plays include England People Very Nice (National Theatre); Under TheWhaleback, Harvest (winner of the Critics' Circle Award for Best Play); Honeymoon Suite (allRoyal Court) and The English Game (national tour). Directed by the legendary Max Stafford-Clark, founder and artistic director of Out of Joint for17 years and former artistic director of the Royal Court, where his work included the premieresof Serious Money, Top Girls and Our Country's Good. His productions for Out of Joint includeTalking to Terrorists, The Permanent Way, Shopping and F***ing and the world-touring, Africa-inspired Macbeth.

He directs a cast including Tony-nominated actor Finbar Lynch.

Ages 14+

BLASTED

22 October - 20 November 2010

Press Night: Thursday 28 October, 7pm

By Sarah KaneDirected by Sean Holmes

Designed by Paul WillsLighting by Paule Constable

Sound by Chris Shutt A LYRIC HAMMERSMITH PRODUCTION In 1995 Sarah Kane's seminal play shocked audiences and critics alike with its brutal honesty.Still as powerful as ever, the Lyric's Artistic Director Sean Holmes stages its first Londonrevival in almost 10 years.

In a hotel room in Leeds, middle aged tabloid journalist Ian, who openly flaunts his racist, homophobic and misogynistic views, brings a younger woman, Cate, to spend the night with him.As we are exposed to their progressively abusive relationship their world shifts as a brutal civilwar forces its way in.Labelled in the 90's as ‘the most notorious playwright in Britain' Sarah Kane's masterpiece BlastedBlastedBlastedBlasted forces the audience to confront the horrors of a broken world. BlasteBlasteBlasteBlasted first opened atThe Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 1995, directed by James MacDonald it made front-pageheadlines and outraged critics with its depiction of rape, torture and violence. This play has beenreviled and revered in equal measure, but is undoubtedly an influential force that has shaped thelandscape of 21 st century drama. Holmes brings BlastedBlastedBlastedBlasted to a new generation, showcasing one ofthe most important writers of modern times. Ages 16+

DICK WHITTINGTON

27 November 2010 - 08 January 2011

Press Night: Friday 03 December, 7pmBy Joel Horwood and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm Conceived and Directed by Steve Marmion Designed by Tom Scutt Sound by Nick Manning

A LYRIC HAMMERSMITH PRODUCTION Following the great success of the Lyric's first traditional pantomime in almost 30 years, Steve Marmion (the recently appointed Artistic Director of the Soho Theatre) returns this festive season with Dick WhittingtonDick WhittingtonDick WhittingtonDick Whittington .

Join Dick Whittington and his cat as they journey toLondon to find their fortune in a brand new show full of colourful characters, live music, laughterand the very evil King Rat. The Lyric's pantomime is an entertainment extravaganza, bringingtogether the finest creative team, an exceptional cast and local talent to present a traditionalPanto for the whole family.Ages 6+

Roald Dahl'S TWISTED TALES 14 January - 26 February 2011Press Night: Monday 24 January, 7pmBy Jeremy DysonConceived and Directed by Polly Findlay

A LYRIC HAMMERSMITH AND LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION

Based on Roald Dahl's dark short stories for adults these renowned tales are adapted for stagefor the first time by The League of Gentlemen's Jeremy Dyson, writer of the Lyric's smash-hit Ghost Stories and director Polly Findlay as the twisted imagination and full malevolence ofDahl is revealed.Directed by Polly Findlay, winner of the JMK Trust's young theatre director award in 2007 andrecipient of the 2006/7 Bulldog Princeps Bursary at the National Theatre. Findlay's creditsinclude Caryl Churchill's Light Shining in Buckinghamshire (Arcola); Eigengrau (Bush);Thyestes (Arcola) and Romeo and Juliet (Battersea Arts Centre).Master of the macabre, Jeremy Dyson, has won numerous awards as the co-writer of thehilariously bleak The League of Gentlemen; including a Perrier Award, Bafta Award for BestComedy and the Golden Rose of Montreux. The stage show he co-penned, A Local Show forLocal People, was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2002. Jeremy Dyson co-wrote and directedthe Lyric's production of Ghost Stories with Andy Nyman, following its phenomenal success theshow transferred to the West End and is now booking until November 2010.Ages 14+ MOGADISHUMOGADISHUMOGADISHUMOGADISHU 03 March - 02 April 2011Press Night: Monday 07 March, 7pmWritten by Vivenne FranzmannDirected by Matthew DunsterDesigned by Tom Scutt A ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE, MANCHESTER PRODUCTION This hard-hitting play takes place in an inner city London school, in which a teacher, Amanda, isaccused of racial harassment by one of the pupils. It was one for the four joint first prize winnersin the most recent Bruntwood Playwriting Competition and was recently announced as thewinner of the 2010 George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright. This is the first play byVivienne Franzman who is herself a Drama teacher in a comprehensive school in London.Matthew Dunster directs an exciting young cast many of whom will be making theirprofessional debuts. Dunster's credits include Love the Sinner (National Theatre); 1984 andMacbeth (Royal Exchange, Manchester); his own award-winning play You Can See the Hills(Royal Exchange, Manchester/Young Vic); the critically-acclaimed productions of The Frontlineand Troilus and Cressida (Shakespeare's Globe Theatre) and the Olivier award nominatedproduction Love and Money (Young Vic/Royal Exchange, Manchester).

Ages 11+

METAMORPHOSIS

Brooklyn Academy Of Music, Harvey Theatre, New YorkPart of the 2010 Next Wave Festival30 November - 04 December 2010

Adapted & directed by David Farr and Gísli Örn Gardarsson

Music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis

Designed by Börkur JónssonLighting by Björn Helgason

Sound by Nick Manning

A LYRIC HAMMERSMITH AND VESTURPORT THEATRE PRODUCTION

The hugely acclaimed production of MetamorphosisMetamorphosisMetamorphosisMetamorphosis from the Lyric Hammersmith and thebrilliant Icelandic company Vesturport makes its New York debut as part of the 2010 NextWave festival.

Metamorphosis opened at the Lyric Hammersmith in 2006, it was a critical and box-office hit, prompting the production's return to the Lyric in 2008. The show then embarked on a national tour and it has since played in Korea, Sydney, Tasmania, Iceland, Hong Kong, Columbia and Dublin. This unique retelling of Metamorphosis has dazzled audiences across the world due to the dizzying, gravity-defying split level set, aerial physicality supported by an original score byworld-renowned musician and lyricist Nick Cave and long time collaborator Warren Ellis.

GHOST STORIES Duke of York'sDuke of York'sDuke of York'sDuke of York's St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4BG Booking until November 2010

PRESENTED IN THE WEST END BY THE LYRIC HAMMERSMITH AND Phil Mcintyre ENTERTAINMENTA LYRIC HAMMERSMITH AND LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION Having broken all box office records and following sell-out seasons, the Lyric Hammersmith andLiverpool Everyman & Playhouse production of Ghost StoriesGhost StoriesGhost StoriesGhost Stories has transferred to the Duke ofYork's Theatre. A truly terrifying theatrical experience from The League of Gentlemen's masterof the macabre, Jeremy Dyson, and Andy Nyman, co-creator and director of Derren Brown'stelevision and stage shows and star of Dead Set and Severance.

Ages 15+ SUNDAY COMEDY NIGHTS

Hosted by Richard Herring

Sunday 26 September / Sunday 31 October / Sunday 28 November /Sunday 30 January / Sunday 27 February / Sunday 27 MarchOur Sunday Comedy Night's return this autumn with a side-splitting mix of famous headlinersand rising stars, all handpicked by Richard Herring. Headliners from last season include Ed Byrne, Al Murray, Stewart Lee, Sarah Milican, Stephen Merchant and Jason Manford.

Ages 16+ LYRIC LOUNGE Friday 24 September / Friday 22 October / Friday 19 November / Friday 28 January

Lyric Lounge returns this autumn as young artists take over the Lyric Studio on the last Friday ofevery month to programme their own night of soulful vocalists, up-and-coming bands, poetry,theatre and dance.

This season features some of the UK's most exciting young talent includingDoctor Who's Arthur Darvill, award-winning playwright Bola Agbaje with LyRic YoungCompany member Nadine Gray and Pearson Playwright in residence David Watson.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Tickets 0871 22 117 22* / www.lyric.co.uk

Adults £10 / £15 / £20 / £25

Children (under 16) £10

*Calls cost 10p per minute from BT landlines, other networks may vary

FREE First Nights (FFN)

If you live or work in Hammersmith and Fulham you won't get a better theatre deal.

Come to theTicket Office at 9.30am, with proof of your home or work address, on the Saturday before theFFN - and you can pick up your free tickets.

WORK BEGINS ON CAPITAL EXTENSION AUTUMN 2010

Over the next few years the Lyric will lead an ambitious capital project which will transformit into a new kind of cultural and educational building which marries the Lyric's reputation asone of the UK's most acclaimed producing theatres with its track record for supporting youngpeople. The project will enable the Lyric to deliver an extended programme of participatoryand formal learning activities for young people from West London. The project is beingdeveloped in collaboration with a range of strategic partners including the London Boroughof Hammersmith and Fulham, Arts Council England, Department for Education and the LondonDevelopment Agency. Work is due to begin on the Capital Extension in Autumn 2010 with thenew facilities scheduled to open in late 2011

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