Review: Bugsy Malone returns to the Lyric Hammersmith

Bugsy Malone

Lyric Hammersmith

Reviewed on Wednesday 29th June 2016

★★★★

After its critical success last year, the Lyric Hammersmith's Olivier Award nominated Bugsy Malone returns to their main house for a second summer outing. Car chases, splurge guns and a vat full of glittery flapper dresses; there's a lot of fun to be had in Sean Holmes' production, and the kids are firmly at the forefront of it all.

Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 

Lyric Hammersmith

Reviewed on Tuesday 1st March 2016

★★★★

Filter’s unique approach to producing Shakespeare can be decidedly hit and miss. Their combination of experimental live music, free adaptation of text and dynamic staging was alienating in their 2014 production of Macbeth. Here, they are on much firmer ground – although not quite literally – with this raucous, unsubtle and unapologetically silly A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which first ran back at the Lyric in 2012 and has been revived this year, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

Interview: Cat Simmons, starring in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith

Cat Simmons is currently starring as Titania in the Lyric Hammersmith and Filter Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Co-directed by Sean Holmes and Stef O’Driscoll, the show has returned to the Lyric where it previously ran to acclaim in 2012.

The show is described as a “riotous reinterpretation of one of Shakespeare’s best loved plays”. With music from the London Snorkelling Team performed by Chris Branch and Keith de Barra, this classic tale of young lovers and warring fairies is given a unique and irreverent twist. 

Cat recently reprised her performance as Nancy in Oliver! at the Leicester Curve, having previously played the role in the UK touring production. 

Just a few of her extensive theatre credits include: Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern (Arcola/Watford Palace), Hopelessly Devoted (Tricycle/UK Tour), Whistle Down The Wind (Aldwych), Coming Home (Arcola), Lightning Child & Macbeth (both Globe), Decade (Headlong), Been So Long (Young Vic), Aladdin (Old Vic) and Fame (Cambridge). On screen she has played DC Kezia Walker in The Bill and Scarlett Anderson in Family Affairs.

I recently spoke to Cat about throwing herself into this bold reinterpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, pushing herself out of her comfort zone and what it was like to recently reprise her performance as Nancy in Oliver!...

This is a very bold reinterpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Did you know what you were letting yourself in for when you were offered the role?

Well I saw a Filter production of Twelfth Night at the Tricycle back in 2010 – I thought it was wild, anarchic and just crazy! The interpretations of the characters were fantastic and so fun yet still paid homage to the text – that’s what I liked about it, it put a new spin on a classic text. Going into the rehearsal room for this was a little daunting at first, most of the company had worked together quite a lot before. It has been a brilliant process! It has been so exciting – rock music… Shakespeare… comedy… breaking the shackles of all the conformities that go with this tradition…. I’m well up for it!

Rehearsal Pics: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith

Rehearsal images have been released for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Jonathan Broadbent, Ed Gaughan, John Lightbody, Victoria Moseley and Ferdy Roberts return to the cast and are joined by Hammed Animashaun, Andrew Buckley, Clare Dunne and Cat Simmons. Co-directed by Sean Holmes and Stef O’Driscoll, the production opens on 25th February (previews from 19th February) and runs until 19th March 2016. 

Full casting announced for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith

Full casting has been announced for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Co-directed by Sean Holmes and Stef O’Driscoll, the production opens on 25th February (previews from 19th February) and runs until 19th March 2016. 

Jonathan Broadbent, Ed Gaughan, John Lightbody, Victoria Moseley and Ferdy Roberts return to the cast and will be joined by Hammed Animashaun, Andrew Buckley, Clare Dunne and Cat Simmons (pictured).

Review: Herons at the Lyric Hammersmith

Herons 

Lyric Hammersmith 

Reviewed on Tuesday 26th January 2016

★★★

In the 15 years since it premiered at the Royal Court, Simon Stephens’ Herons seems to have dated a lot. Its central themes, although undeniably thought-provoking, all seem a little familiar and its taut plot doesn’t grip the stomach as it should do. Sean Holmes’ production at the Lyric Hammersmith gives it a stylish, expressionist twist but is still more intellectually stimulating than emotionally involving.

Bugsy Malone returning to Lyric Hammersmith

It has been announced that Alan Parker’s Bugsy Malone will return to the Lyric Hammersmith for a twelve week run next summer.

The musical will re-open on 24th June (previews from 11th June) for a limited run to 4th September 2016.

Bugsy Malone has music and lyrics by Paul Williams and is directed by Sean Holmes. Casting to be announced.

Bugsy Malone re-opened the Lyric Hammersmith in April 2015 following a multi-million pound redevelopment and the creation of the Reuben Foundation Wing. It was the UK’s first professional stage production of Bugsy Malone in over a decade.

Rehearsal Pics: Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith

Rehearsal images have been released for the Lyric Hammersmith's production of Cinderella by Tom Wells. The panto opens on 28th November 2015 (previews from 21st November) and runs until 3rd January 2016. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Cinderella stars Samuel Buttery (Buttons), Peter Caulfield (Licious), Sara Crowe (Madame Woo), Krystal Dockery (Cinderella), Debra Michaels (Fairy Godmother), Karl Queensborough (Prince Charming) and Matt Sutton (Booty). Completing the cast are: Poppy Almond, Claudia Archer, Oliver Byng, Eboni Dixon, Amelia Grant and Nathaniel Wade.

Lyric Hammersmith announces Spring 2016 season

The Lyric Hammersmith has announced its Spring 2016 season. 

The Lyric will present the first professional production of Simon Stephen’s Herons since the play premiered at the Royal Court in 2001, directed by artistic director Sean Holmes. This is followed by the return of their co- production with Filter Theatre of A Midsummer Night’s Dream last staged in 2012. 

Whilst the Royal Opera will present, two contemporary operas, Pleasure by Mark Simpson featuring well-known British soprano Lesley Garrett and the world premiere of Sarah Kane’s 4:48 Psychosis by Philip Venables, both presented in association with the Lyric.

Review: Tipping the Velvet at the Lyric Hammersmith

Tipping the Velvet
Lyric Hammersmith
Reviewed on Tuesday 29th September 2015
★★★

It's wonderful to see a novel adapted for the stage with such creativity. Daring to be bold and stylish, Laura Wade's adaptation of Sarah Waters' book fully embraces the traditions of music hall to create a uniquely structured piece of theatre.

First casting announced for Lyric Hammersmith's pantomime

First casting has been announced for the Lyric Hammersmith's Christmas production of Cinderella by Tom Wells. 

The pantomime will open on 28th November 2015 (previews from 21st November) and run until 3rd January 2016. Samuel Buttery (Taboo/The Voice) will lead the cast as Buttons. 

Cinderella will also star Sara Crowe (Fallen Angels/Hay Fever) as Madama Woo, Krystal Dockery (professional stage debut) as Cinderella and Karl Queensborough (A Wolf in Snakeskin Shows)  as Prince Charming. Further casting is to be announced.

Full casting announced for Tipping the Velvet at the Lyric Hammersmith

Full casting has been announced for Laura Wade’s new adaptation of Sarah Waters’ bestselling novel, Tipping the Velvet.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner, the production opens  at the Lyric Hammersmith on 28th September 2015 (previews from 18th September) for a limited run until 24th October 2015.

Kirsty Besterman, David Cardy, Amanda Hadingue, Adelle Leonce and Andy Rush will join the previously announced Sally Messham and Laura Rogers. Completing the cast are: Jared Ashe, Tamara Camacho, Grace Frogley, Ru Hamilton, Georgie Lord, Laura Rogers, Aasiya Shah and Sarah Vezmar.

Lyric Hammersmith appoints new Executive Director

Sian Alexander has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Lyric Hammersmith. She will officially take up the role from 5th October 2015. 

Alexander succeeds Jessica Hepburn who is leaving the Lyric after nearly a decade as Executive Director to focus on her writing career and who, as her last act for the Lyric is swimming the English Channel to raise money for the theatre’s work with disadvantaged children.

Alexander has been a senior management consultant in the arts for the past five years during which time she has worked with the Nuffield in Southampton, Creative Industry Finance, Tricycle Theatre and the World Stages Consortium among others. 

From 2012 to 2014 she was Executive Director of the Bush Theatre and prior to that was Associate Director of Julie’s Bicycle from 2010 to 2013 and Head of Theatre in London at Arts Council England for 10 years until 2010. She is Chair of the Trustees for Frantic Assembly as well as being on the Boards of Julie’s Bicycle and the Gate Theatre. Sian became a Clore Fellow in 2006.

Sean Holmes (Artistic Director) said: "I'm delighted Sian Alexander will soon join us as our new Executive Director. 2015 has been monumental for the Lyric with the reopening of the building following its £20 million capital development and the coming years will be a very exciting time. I look forward to working with Sian as we take the Lyric on into its next chapter."

Sian Alexander said: "The Lyric is my local theatre and I’ve been a huge fan of its work for years. It is an honour now to lead the theatre alongside Sean Holmes and to work together to realise the fantastic potential of the Lyric’s new spaces for artists, audiences and young people."

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Bugsy Malone extends run at the Lyric Hammersmith

The Lyric Hammersmith's production of Bugsy Malone has extended its run to 5th September 2015. 

Directed by Sean Holmes, it is the UK’s first professional stage production of Bugsy Malone in over a decade.

Bugsy Malone has choreography by Drew McOnie with design by Jon Bausor, musical direction by Phil Bateman, lighting by James Farncombe, sound by Ben Harrison, casting by Will Burton CDG and children’s casting by Jessica Ronane CDG.

Review: Bugsy Malone at the Lyric Hammersmith

Asanda Jezile as Tallulah

Bugsy Malone 
Lyric Hammersmith
Reviewed on Wednesday 29th April 2015
★★★

Marking its first professional UK staging in ten years, Sean Holmes' revival of Bugsy Malone reopens the Lyric Hammersmith following multi-million pound re-development work. Adapted from Alan Parker’s iconic 1976 gangster film, the piece takes place in Prohibition era New York.

Lyric Hammersmith announces new season

The Lyric Hammersmith has announced its new Autumn / Winter season.

Laura Wade and Lyndsey Turner reunite after the success of Posh, to bring a new adaptation of Sarah Waters’ Tipping the Velvet to the Lyric’s main stage in September. Over the festive season, a new pantomime of Cinderella, written by Tom Wells will run on the main stage and Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas will return to the Studio. 

The Lyric officially re-opens following a multi-million pound capital development and creation of the new Reuben Foundation Wing on 28th April with a new stage production of Alan Parker’s Bugsy Malone, directed by Sean Holmes. 

Casting announced for Bugsy Malone at the Lyric Hammersmith

Casting has been announced for the Lyric Hammersmith's production of Bugsy Malone which opens on 28th April (previews from 11th April) and runs until 1st August 2015.

Based on Sir Alan Parker’s acclaimed film, Bugsy Malone will re-open the Lyric Hammersmith following a multi-million pound re-development. The Lyric’s Artistic Director Sean Holmes will direct the UK’s first professional stage production of Bugsy Malone in over a decade.

The production stars a diverse range of talented young performers aged 9 to 19. Three different casts will perform the lead roles in rotation. The full cast includes:

All seven Secret Theatre shows to be performed for the last time at the Lyric Hammersmith

As part of a two week Grand Finale the Lyric Hammersmith’s Secret Theatre Company will present their full repertory of shows for the last time including the premiere of a brand new play.

The celebration of this provocative project will include the Company’s final production Show 7: A Stab in the Dark, a classic British farce set in Afghanistan, written by Joel Horwood. There will also be a range of free events, discussions and masterclasses tailored around the performances. The project will culminate in the final weekend with the company performing all seven Secret Theatre shows over 48 hours. 

Open auditions to be held for new production of Bugsy Malone

It has been revealed that open auditions will be held for the Lyric Hammersmith's new production of Bugsy Malone on Sunday 26th October 2014.

An open casting call on the theatre's website reads: "Are you aged 9-15 years? Do you live in London? Can you dance, sing AND act? We are holding an Open Casting Day on Sunday 26 October. As a part of our search for the children who will play the roles of Bugsy, Tallulah, Blousey, Fizzy, Fat Sam, Dandy Dan and Lena, we want to hear from you!"

New production of Bugsy Malone to be staged at the Lyric Hammersmith

It has been announced that a new production of Bugsy Malone will run at the Lyric Hammersmith from 11th April 2015, marking the UK’s first professional stage production of the musical in over a decade. The production also marks the reopening of the Lyric Hammersmith following redevelopment work.

Bugsy Malone will be directed by the Lyric Hammersmith's Artistic Director Sean Holmes with choreography by Drew McOnie, design by Jon Bausor and musical direction by Phil Bateman.