New Mike Bartlett play and black culture festival to feature in Lyric Hammersmith season

A new Mike Bartlett comedy, a festival celebrating black culture and a revival of Patrick Marber’s Closer have been announced as part of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s 2022 season.

The season will launch in January next year with For the Culture – Celebrations of Blackness, which is a multi-art form festival curated by Peggy Brunache, Tinuke Craig and Nicholai La Barrie.

Mike Bartlett’s comedy about the new restoration of theatres in a post-pandemic London, called Scandaltown, will premiere in April 2022. It is directed by the Lyric’s artistic director Rachel O’Riordan.

The revival of Closer, directed by Clare Lizzimore, will open in July 2022.

Other highlights in the season include Ola Ince directing Roy Williams’ new play Heather, which is a modern adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, running from September 29 to October 29, 2022.

The Stage Debut award-winning director Atri Banerjee will direct Timberlake Wertenbaker’s adaptation of Britannicus, which runs from May 26 to June 25.

The Lyric Hammersmith will also co-produce Running with Lions by emerging writer Sian Carter with Talawa Theatre company.

Talawa’s artistic director Michael Buffong will direct the production, which runs from February 10 by March 12.

A production celebrating disability-inclusive dance company Amici Dance Theatre Company’s 40th anniversary has also been announced. One World: Wealth of the Common People will bring together an 80-strong cast on the Lyric main stage from June 29 to July 2, 2022.

O’Riordan said: "This past 18 months has been tough for our industry; theatre has felt vulnerable, as has our society. We are in a period of change and of shift; and at times like this, theatre is vital.

"The season we shared with you in 2019, my first season as artistic director of the Lyric, demonstrated our ambition and our passion.

"This current season builds on that and also responds to where we are now. The writers and directors whose work will be shared with you in our beautiful auditorium are bold, thrilling, artists."

O’Riordan added: "We look forward to welcoming the wider creative teams, actors and audiences to the Lyric, at the heart of west London. It is good to be back."

Season at a glance:

For the Culture: Celebrations of Blackness

Curated by Peggy Brunache, Tinuke Craig and Nicholai La Barrie

January 2022

Running with Lions by Sian Carter

Directed by Michael Buffong

February 10 by March 12, with press night on February 15

Scandaltown by Mike Bartlett

Directed by Rachel O’Riordan

April 7 to May 14, 2022, with press night on April 13

Britannicus by Jean Racin

Adapted by Timberlake Wertenbaker

Directed by Atri Banerjee

May 26 to June 25, with press night on June 1

One World: Wealth of the Common People by Amici Dance Theatre Company

June 29 to July 2, with press night on June 29

Closer by Patrick Marber

Directed by Clare Lizzimore

July 14 to August 13, with press night on July 20

Heather by Roy Williams

Directed by Ola Ince

September 29 to October 29, with press night on October 5