Lyric Hammersmith Reinvigorated

April 13, 2004

The Lyric Hammersmith, West London's major producing and presenting theatre, is undergoing a much-needed renovation. The Lyric is working with architect Rick Mather to build a new glass-fronted entrance that opens into Lyric Square. The renovation also includes a new ticket office and café, as well as two new rooms—a rehearsal room and an education room.

The Lyric's interior was originally designed by Frank Matchum in 1895. When the Lyric was demolished in the early 1970s, the interior plasterwork was saved and put in storage. Soon after the demolition, the opportunity arose to rebuild the Lyric Theatre.

Theatre Projects Consultants, led by the firm's first in-house architect, Eric Jordan, planned the Lyric's "new" auditorium construction within a modern low-cost commercial exterior. During the planning of the "new" Lyric, there were two fascinating developments. First, the proscenium opening had to be widened by three feet, so Eric designed an insert through the entire centerline of the theatre. Second, some of the plaster was damaged or missing; Eric discovered that the original manufacturer of the plaster casts was not only still in business, but still had the original molds. And in 1979, London gained a new/old theatre - a Matcham jewel-box.

And now with the current renovations by Rick, the seventies blandness of the low-cost exterior containing such riches has been reinvigorated.

The Lyric Hammersmith has been a pivotal venue for Theatre Projects. In 1957 Theatre Projects, as a brand-new upstart lighting design and rental company, delivered its first professional rental contract for the Lyric Hammersmith's production, Arlecchino. Other shows, such as Lady At the Wheel, and an association with the 59 Theatre Company (a resident company) followed at this theatre, until its demolition.

More about the current renovation.

More about the Lyric Hammersmith.