Ghost Stories will return to the Lyric Hammersmith as part of its Spring 2019 season, the final set of productions programmed by outgoing Artistic Director Sean Holmes.
After a decade at the helm of the venue, Holmes has programmed one of the biggest hits of his tenure – Ghost Stories later transferred to the West End, internationally, and then to the silver screen – now to return to its original home. Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s cult phenomenon will terrify theatregoers from 29 March – 11 May 2019.
The season also includes the world premiere of a new play with songs, starring Tyrone Huntley; the 1927 Theatre Company and Kneehigh with critically acclaimed touring productions; and a body of work reflecting the Lyric’s reputation for nurturing the creativity of young people.
Leave To Remain (18 January – 16 February 2019) opens the season, with music by the lead singer of Bloc Party, Kele Okereke. Olivier Award-winner Huntley leads the play as Obi, telling the remarkable story of a young gay couple suddenly faced with an uncertain future. You can listen to a track from the production below.
This is followed by 1927’s The Animals And Children Took To The Streets (19 February – 16 March), a glorious blend of the macabre and spectacular presented through music, animation and storytelling. Like a graphic novel burst into life, the show welcomes audiences to Bayou, a fearsome and loathsome part of the city – can Agnes Eaves find hope in a place bereft of it?
Ghost Stories follows in the theatre where it all began, accompanied by an advisory warning – that the show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15 – which audiences would be wise to heed.
Finally, Carl Grose’s Dead Dog In A Suitcase (And Other Love Songs) (21 May – 15 June) is Kneehigh’s trail-blazing tour-de-force, an adaptation of the Beggar’s Opera, in which a cast of actor-musicians shoot, hoot and shimmy their way through a twisted morality tale.
Elsewhere, the Lyric’s Evolution Festival – a four-day festival which showcases young artists in London – and the Lyric Ensemble – a year-long project with a group of young aspiring actors – will return for 2019, along with the Little Lyric season for audiences aged up to 11 years.
Of the season, Holmes said: “Our new spring season is everything I’ve always strived for the Lyric to be – provocative, entertaining and eclectic bringing the best theatre artists to our beautiful Hammersmith home.”
And he signed off with an inspiring message to all would-be directors and creatives:
More information on the new season, and tickets, can be found on the venue’s website.