Christmas at the Lyric Hammersmith: DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT and RAYMOND BRIGGS' FATHER CHRISTMAS

After the record-breaking success of last year's Christmas season, this Winter the Lyric Hammersmith will stage two productions that are sure to delight festive audiences. Lyric pantomime returns to the Main House with Dick Whittington and his Cat, and family favourite Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas flies back to charm and thrill under 6s in the Lyric Studio.

IN THE MAIN HOUSE
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

By Tom Wells
22 November 2014 - 03 January 2015 Ages 6+
Press Night: 29 November 2014, 6pm

Dick Whittington and his Cat reunites the writer-director team from last year's box office hit Jack and the Beanstalk. Award-wining playwright Tom Wells (Jumpers for Goalposts, The Kitchen Sink) is back to put a hilarious new spin on the classic Dick Whittington story. Director Dan Herd also returns and will bring his years of pantomime experience to this production, having been Associate Director for three previous Lyric pantomimes before directing last year's hit show.

Young Dick Whittington has set off from Hull in order to find his fortune in London but, with the evil Queen Rat controlling the city, Dick must join forces with his reluctant sidekick Cat and set off on a quest to defeat her that takes him from Hammersmith to the North Pole and back.

Actor Stewart Wright joins the cast as Baps the fun-loving Cook. Wright, originally from Hammersmith, most recently appeared in Wild Oats (Bristol Old Vic), Swallows and Amazons (Bristol Old Vic and Vaudeville Theatre) and Does My Society Look Big In This (Bristol Old Vic). Television credits include Spooks (Kudos), Bonkers (BBC), Love Soup (BBC) and Love and Marriage (ITV). Wright has also appeared in Incendiary (Channel 4), A Good Year (Stripe Productions) and well known British film Bridget Jones Diary (Working Title). This Christmas Stewart will also be appearing as Uncle Henry in Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey.

Full casting includes Delroy Atkinson, Aretha Ayer, Tiffany Graves, Dermot Canavan, Rebecca Craven, Andy Rush and Stewart Wright.

By Tom Wells
Directed by Dan Herd
Set Design by Oliver Townsend Costume Design by Katie Lias
Lighting by Tim Deiling
Composer and Arranger James Fortune Sound by Nick Manning

Choreography by Lainie Baird
Casting by Jim Arnold CDG for Pippa Ailion Casting Associate Director Tatiana Hennessy

IN THE STUDIO
Raymond Briggs' FATHER CHRISTMAS

Adapted by Pins and Needles
14 November 2014 - 31 December 2014
For Under 6s
Press Nights: Friday 21 November 2014, 6:30pm and Monday 24 November 2014, 2:30pm

A LYRIC HAMMERSMITH AND PINS AND NEEDLES PRODUCTION

The Lyric's beloved production for young children will be staged in the Studio space and will include Barry McCarthy, who originated the role of Father Christmas in 2012, as part of a team of festive performers. McCarthy recently appeared in Little Revolution (Almeida), his other stage credits include Flustered (Southwark Playhouse) and King Lear (Almeida).

Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas follows Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. This timeless festive story bursts into life with live music, playful puppets and a masterfully magical set.

This co-production with Pins & Needles Theatre Productions has become a must-see Christmas show for families, especially as a great introductory theatre experience for young children. For the second year, Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas can also be seen beyond London as the show returns to West Yorkshire Playhouse from November.

Based on the book by Raymond Briggs Adapted by Pins and Needles Productions Directed by Emma Earle
Design by Zoe Squire

Lighting by George Ogilvie
Music and Sound by Lucy Rivers
Puppet Designer and Maker Max Humphries Associate Director Eva Sampson

Free First Night and Community Shows

As part of the Lyric Hammersmith's aim to further engage with the community, anyone who lives or works in Hammersmith and Fulham can claim four tickets per household to see the Lyric pantomime. To pick up tickets, community members just need to come to the Ticket Office with proof of their home or work address, on either the Friday or Saturday before the free first night.

In addition, as part of its commitment to the community, for the first time this year the Lyric will be holding free performances of Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas. Tickets to these free Community Shows will be offered to low-income families through local charitable organisations.

The Lyric's community initiatives are generously supported by Sovereign Court by St George and Winton Charitable Foundation.

Booking Information

Tickets 020 8741 6850 | www.lyric.co.uk Lyric Square, King Street, London, W6 0QL

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT
Dates 22 November 2014 - Saturday 3 January 2015
Times Evenings 5pm, 6pm, 7pm | Matinees 10am, 11am, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 3pm
Tickets £15 - £35 | Under 16s - £15 (excluding premium seats) | Family tickets £70 (for four people, must include two people under 16. Strictly limited availability)
Ages 6+

Accessible performances
Open Captioned Sunday 14 December 5pm Audio Described Thursday 18 December 7pm BSL Interpreted Tuesday 30 December 2pm

Raymond Briggs' FATHER CHRISTMAS
Dates Friday 14 November 2014 - Wednesday 31 December 2014 Times various 9.30am - 6.30pm, see website for full schedule Tickets £8 Children / £10 Adults
Ages Under 6