Our Vision
The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is the artistic and civic heart of West London – a local theatre with a national impact. A recently refurbished Frank Matcham, 591-seat auditorium, is at the heart of our 125-year-old organisation. As the largest subsidised theatre in London after the National Theatre, we are committed to presenting world-class theatre. We tell stories that matter. We work with exceptional talent to make ambitious, entertaining, inspiring theatre for our audience in West London and beyond. We believe theatre is for everyone and support young artists to discover the power of their creativity and shape the future of British theatre.
Our Work
The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is one of London‘s leading producing theatres. We have welcomed some of the world’s finest writers, directors, actors and theatre companies to our stage. From Harold Pinter to Tanika Gupta; Sir John Gielgud to Sheila Hancock; Complicite to Frantic Assembly.
Artistic Director and CEO, Rachel O’Riordan, was appointed in February 2019. Her first season, although halted due to the pandemic, was a critical and commercial success. The theatre re-opened with Out West in Spring 2021 with three newly commissioned monologues by Tanika Gupta, Simon Stephens and Roy Williams co-directed by Rachel O’Riordan and Diane Page. This was followed by the Lyric’s first large-scale community production Heart of Hammersmith and a revival of Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane in a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre.
As well as creating some of the UK’s most ground-breaking and acclaimed productions, we have gained a reputation for creating pathways into the arts for talent from all backgrounds. Our work with children and young people is at the core of who we are and our commitment to nurturing this creativity is what makes us unique within the theatre ecology.
We combine world class theatre with an authentic relationship with our community. We create clear, egalitarian entry points to our programmes and initiatives to make sure that everyone can thrive in our building. Social justice is a principle we hold dear and which we manifest in how we programme our stages and how we work with each other.
Our sector leading work with young people is closely aligned with the work we create on our stages and we ensure that theatre is accessible and stimulating for all young people.
Funding
Our annual turnover is approximately £6 million, pre-pandemic. The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre receives funding from the Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Additional income is earned through box office sales and other revenue streams which include a significant contribution from our commercial business and fundraising.
Governance, Staffing and Finances
The Lyric is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. We have a talented and dedicated team of around 45 permanent staff, and employ numerous freelance artists, practitioners and casual staff.
The Lyric has two trading subsidiaries: Lyric Hammersmith Enterprises encompasses the Lyric’s day-to-day trading operation including catering, hires and fundraising events. Lyric Hammersmith Worldwide is the Lyric’s production company and is contracted to deliver all theatre productions on behalf of the main charity. This is the vehicle through which the Lyric receives Theatre Production Tax Relief. All profits from both subsidiaries are covenanted to the parent charity.
The Lyric’s Board has ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction, development and governance of the organisation and Trustees offer guidance and expertise to the Chief Executive/Artistic Director and Executive Director, to whom day-to-day management of the organisation is delegated. Trustees must be positive and passionate advocates for the theatre and its core mission and must ensure that its affairs as a registered charity and company limited by guarantee are conducted with probity.
The Board comprises Professional and Community members who normally serve a maximum two terms of three years each. The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham also appoints up to four Councillors to the Lyric Board on an annual basis.
We hold four Board meetings each year, including the Lyric’s Annual General Meeting in December.