Lyric Hammersmith Theatre Launches Fundraising Appeal
Wants to raise £50,000 to help ensure it can survive next few months
Artistic Director, Rachel O’Riordan and Executive Director, Sian Alexander
The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has launched a fundraising campaign with a target of £50,000 through crowdfunder to help ensure the theatre can survive the next few months and eventually reopen.
Artistic Director, Rachel O’Riordan and Executive Director, Sian Alexander said, ‘Our safety curtain is down and the stalls are empty, but we are determined to see our theatre full again and with your help we can make that happen. Any donation, no matter how small, is going to help us survive this critical time and see the Lyric return and this theatre full again. We will reopen the Lyric, but only with your help.’
In 2020 the Lyric celebrated its 125th birthday at the same time as having to close due to Covid-19. Having now been closed for over six months the impact of losing 75% of income has put severe financial pressure on the theatre which recently has to lay off a fifth of its staff.
The theatre operates as a charity and it says in the last ten year alone it has given 28,000 free tickets to community groups and those who live and work in Hammersmith and Fulham through the Free First Night scheme. Also more than 22,000 free tickets have been given to local schoolchildren for the annual Panto.
In the last decade the total audience size for its productions has reached nearly two million.
Since the Reuben Foundation Wing opened 5 years ago 180,000 young people have taken part in opportunities and activities through Young Lyric classes and projects.
Watch a film with about the campaign here:
Donation pledges start from £10 with unique Lyric gifts offered at every level and need to be made before the 3 November.
To donate to the campaign click here.
October 6, 2020