The Lyric Theatre is to reopen following its refurbishment and extension.
The theatre reopens in April after a multi-million pound redevelopment which is the Lyric’s first major facelift in 35 years. It includes a new café and bar, toilets and a two-storey extension which will be named the Reuben Foundation Wing in recognition of a generous grant from the Reuben brothers’ charitable foundation.
The new facilities will include drama, dance and recording studios, an editing suite, music practice rooms, a film & TV studio, a 50-seat cinema, a digital playspace, a sensory space for children with disabilities, props and costume stores, wardrobe and scenic workshops, as well as meeting and seminar rooms.
Jessica Hepburn, Executive Director of the Lyric Hammersmith said: “I can’t wait for people to come and see what we’ve done to the Lyric. I think they’re going to be amazed.
“There isn’t going to be another producing theatre in London quite like it and there will be no better place for young people and emerging artists to develop their creative talent.”
The project is developing the site to the west of the existing building and has five main funders: Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the Arts Council England, the Department for Education, the Mayor of London and the Reuben Foundation.
Building work began in 2012 and the design was developed by the internationally acclaimed Rick Mather Architects, responsible for designing the Lyric’s new entrance in the early 2000s.
The new, improved theatre will reopen with Bugsy Malone.
