A free screening of the critically acclaimed A Doll’s House, adapted by the award winning Tanika Gupta and directed by Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan will be available for one day only via the Lyric’s YouTube from 2.30pm until midnight on Wednesday 20 May, 2020.
Two masterclasses in directing and new writing offered exclusively to Young Lyric members offering a broader insight into the production.
A masterclass for emerging directors with Rachel O’Riordan on Monday 18 May, looking at directing within a proscenium arch theatre to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the death of the designer of the Lyric’s Main House - Frank Matcham.
Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan said:
‘A Doll’s House was the first production I programmed and directed as the new Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, it embodies everything I want the Lyric to be for our audience – world-class theatre, a reimagined classic text, showcasing exceptional talent and celebrating our 125 year old theatre. I’m delighted that we’re able to share this recording for free so that more people can enjoy this production within our beautiful theatre. Alongside our work onstage at the heart of the Lyric is supporting emerging talent from all backgrounds and I’m very much looking forward to personally hosting a series of masterclasses to continue this engagement and support.’
A Doll’s House opened at the Lyric in September 2019, the production was filmed at the end of the run and will be available for one day only from 2.30pm until midnight on Wednesday 20 May on the Lyric’s YouTube channel. The screening is free with the Lyric asking for those who can to donate to the Lyric Recovery Fund to support the theatre during its period of closure due to Covid-19.
Tanika Gupta’s new take on Ibsen’s classic text explores gender politics, ownership and race in 1879, Calcutta. The role of Niru – Nora in the original - was played by Anjana Vasan (Rutherford and Son/ Summer and Smoke) who was nominated for Best Actress at the Evening Standard Awards for the role. Niru’s husband, Tom Helmer – originally Torvald - was played by Elliot Cowan (An Ideal Husband). The cast also includes Arun Ghosh as Masterji, Arinder Sadhra as Uma, Colin Tierney as Dr Rank, Tripti Tripuraneni as Mrs Lahiri, and Assad Zaman as Kaushik Das.
The designer for the production was Lily Arnold, lighting design by Kevin Treacy, sound design by Gregory Clarke, composition by Arun Ghosh and casting by Stuart Burt CDG.
Masterclasses
The Lyric’s artistic work in its Main House is programmed to celebrate the unique 125-year old proscenium arch theatre designed by the famous theatre designer and architect Frank Matcham that originally opened on the 20 July 1895. On Sunday 17 May the Lyric alongside Matcham theatres across the UK will mark the 100th anniversary of Matcham’s death on social media with #Matcham100 – a celebration of the theatres that Matcham designed. Following the anniversary on Monday 18 May, Rachel O’Riordan will host a two-hour masterclass on directing in a proscenium arch theatre for emerging directors. The masterclass will be free, those wishing to apply are asked to submit their CV and 100 words on why they’d like to take part to learning@lyric.co.uk by 10am on Thursday 14 May.
Young Lyric members are being offered the exclusive opportunity to take part in two masterclasses connected to the screening of A Doll’s House. One on directing led by Rachel O’Riordan and one on new writing led by the Lyric Artistic Associate and the National Theatre’s Senior Dramaturg, Nina Steiger. Young Lyric is the home for all the Lyric’s work for young people aged 0-25. Being a member gives a young person access to discounted tickets, exclusive opportunities and high quality, affordable activities in a wide range of art forms to help develop their creative, social, personal and economic potential.
