Lyric Hammersmith to Reopen with Bugsy Malone
Musical will be first production in April at redeveloped theatre
The Lyric Hammersmith has announced that Bugsy Malone is to be its first production when it reopens following a multi-million pound redevelopment.
The King Street theatre will open in April, following a project to expand the venue to include a new two-storey extension called the Reuben Foundation Wing. This will house new facilities, including a dance studio, a TV studio, a screening cinema and a “digital play space”.
Bugsy Malone, directed by Lyric Hammersmith artistic director Sean Holmes, will be the first time the musical will have been professionally staged in the last ten years.
Bugsy Malone has music and lyrics by Paul Williams, with a book by Alan Parker, who says he didn't like previous stage productions, and had " actively discouraged" companies from staging it.
However, he adds: " Meeting a few times with Sean Holmes of the Lyric and listening to his excellent ideas, I decided to give a stage production my blessing."
Holmes says of the show: " It feels like the quintessential Lyric show: celebratory, inclusive and surprising."
Jessica Hepburn, Lyric Hammersmith executive director, thinks people will be " amazed" by the redevelopment.
" The project has taken years of planning and fundraising and two years of construction work on the site, but next year we’re going to unveil something really special," she says.
" 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."
It will have choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Jon Bausor, with musical direction by Phil Bateman.
The show’s lighting will be by James Farncombe, with sound design by Ben Harrison and casting by Will Burton. The children’s casting director is Jessica Ronane.
Bugsy Malone begins previews on April 11, 2015.
You can read more about the £16 million redevelopment of the Lyric Hammersmith here.
In the meantime, the Lyric will present a number of shows in its existing facilities including this year's pantomime Dick Whittington And His Cat, which will run from November 22 until January 3 and Frantic Assembly's Othello, running from January 13 till February 7.
The Lyric also runs a continuous programme of shows for children, including Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas running from November 14 till December 31. You can find more details here.
October 15, 2014
