Lyric life

Take a first look at the production images for Out West starring Esh Alladi, Tom Mothersdale and Ayesha Antoine – we are back on stage! We are so delighted to be opening our doors after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic and to now welcome back audiences with a world premiere production of three short stories presented in one night by leading UK playwrights Tanika Gupta, Simon Stephens and Roy Williams. Out West also brings together an exciting creative team with Lyric Artistic Director and CEO Rachel O’Riordan co-directing with this year’s JMK Award winner Diane Page. Design is by Soutra Gilmour, Lighting Design is by Jessica Hung Han Yun and Sound and Composition is by Simon Slater.

Out West explores race, geography, identity, belonging and hope rooted in multicultural England of past and present. Tanika Gupta’s The Overseas Student reimagines Gandhi’s formative student years in Victorian England; Simon Stephens’ Blue Water and Cold and Fresh, inspired by a series of conversations with Emmanuella Cole, confronts white male privilege in the wake of city lockdown living and Black Lives Matter protests, and Roy Williams’ Go, Girl  is a celebratory story of Black female empowerment and everyday heroism.

You can read more about the plays below and book your tickets here.

The Overseas Student

London. 1888. 18-year old Mohandas K Gandhi has just arrived from India to study Law. Miles from home, his wife and his family, we see him navigate a time of uncertainty, growth and opportunity. As he builds a new life, he explores the joys of money, food and women whilst facing the struggles of class and imperialism.

Tanika Gupta’s (A Doll’s House, The Empress) sharp and profound play is a unique insight into the teenage years of a man who went on to become one of the most significant figures in history.

Esh Alladi plays Gandhi. His previous credits include a UK Theatre Award winning performance in Hobson’s Choice, Lions and Tigers at Shakespeare’s Globe, Absolute Hell at the National Theatre, EastEnders and Casualty,

Blue Water and Cold and Fresh

London 2020. In the wake of city lockdown living and Black Lives Matter protests, one man’s journey across London raises difficult truths. His childhood memories. His father’s drinking. The woman he married. The birth of his son. His own white privilege. This heartfelt piece explores what it means to be a father, husband and son.

Simon Stephens’ (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Punk Rock) latest play was inspired by a series of conversations with Emmanuella Cole (Collaborator on Blue Water and Cold and Fresh).

Tom Mothersdale plays Jack. His previous credits include Peaky Blinders, Endeavour, Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp at the Royal Court, John at the National Theatre, Headlong’s Richard III in the title role.

Go, Girl

London, 2020. Once the schoolgirl chosen to sing for First Lady Michelle Obama, Donna is now a security guard patrolling the grounds of Westfield shopping centre. The hope and excitement she once felt has now become isolation and judgement of the choices she has made. Yet when Donna and her teenage daughter find themselves in a situation that tests their bravery and humanity, she realises just how truly remarkable they are.

Roy Williams’ (Death of England, Soon Gone, A Windrush Chronicle) new play holds a lens up to female resilience and celebrates Black women and everyday heroism in the face of adversity.

Ayesha Antoine plays Donna. Her previous credits include Blank at Donmar Warehouse, Netflix’s Cursed, Rachel Baptiste in Holby City, Dee Dee Blasco in Doctor Who, Judith in Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum.