London's Lyric Hammersmith to Present World Premiere of Laura Wade's Tipping the Velvet; Christmas Shows Also Announced | Playbill

News London's Lyric Hammersmith to Present World Premiere of Laura Wade's Tipping the Velvet; Christmas Shows Also Announced London's Lyric Hammersmith is to present the world premiere of Tipping the Velvet, a new adaptation of Sarah Waters' novel that will reunite writer Laura Wade and director Lyndsey Turner.

The two previously collaborated on Posh, which premiered at the Royal Court and subsequently transferred to the West End's Duke of York's Theatre, before being made into a film "The Riot Club." Tipping the Velvet will begin performances Sept. 18 prior to an official opening Sept. 28, for a run through Oct. 24.



It is co-produced with Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum Theatre, and will be designed by Lizzie Clachan, with choreography by Alistair David, lighting by Jon Clark, music by Michael Bruce and sound by Nick Manning. Casting is still to be announced.

The story is set in 1887. Nancy Astley sits in the audience at her local music hall. She doesn’t know it yet, but the next act on the bill will change her life. Tonight is the night she'll fall in love, with the thrill of the stage and with Kitty Butler, a girl who wears trousers. Giddy with desire and hungry for experience, Nancy follows Kitty to London where unimaginable adventures await.



In a press statement, Waters has commented, "I am absolutely thrilled that 'Tipping the Velvet' is to be brought to life on the stage of the Lyric Hammersmith. I can think of no better setting for the play than the lush Lyric interior, and no more exciting creative talents than those of writer Laura Wade and director Lyndsey Turner. The production promises to be full of energy, fun and music-hall sparkle - in other words, everything I could hope for. I am simply delighted."

Turner's previous productions include Machinal at Broadway's American Airlines Theatre in 2014, Chimerica (Almeida and West End), and the current production of Light Shining in Buckinghamshire at the National Theatre. The Lyric have also announced that a new pantomime version of Cinderella, written by Tom Wells, will be presented on the main stage, beginning performances Nov. 21 ahead of an official opening Nov. 28, for a run through Jan. 3. Wells's previous pantsmime credits at Hammersmith include Dick Whittington and his Cat in 2014/15 and Jack and the Beanstalk in 2013/14; his other plays include The Kitchen Sink and Jumpers for Goalposts. Alongside it, Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas, adapted by Pins and Needles, and intended for under 6's, will return to play in the Lyric Studio for the fourth year, beginning performances Nov. 20 for a run through Dec. 24. It is directed by Emma Earle Design by Zoe Squire.



In a press statement, artistic director Sean Holmes commented, "We are delighted to announce another typically eclectic Lyric season. As well as our much loved Seasonal favourites Father Christmas and Lyric panto returning we have a world premiere with the stage adaptation of Tipping The Velvet. Sarah Waters, Laura Wade and Lyndsey Turner--what a team."



To book tickets, contact the box office on 20 8741 6850 or visit www.lyric.co.uk for more details.

 
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