Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

What Lyric Hammersmith Theatre does

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is a registered UK charity (No. 278518) and one of the largest subsidised theatres in the country, operating from a single venue on Lyric Square in Hammersmith, London. It runs two performance spaces — the historic 130-year-old Frank Matcham Main House and a flexible Studio — alongside the Lyric Bar with Roof Garden and an independently operated Outsider Tart café. Programming spans world premieres, revivals, family productions including a long-running Christmas partnership with Pins & Needles Productions, and an annual pantomime. Distribution is direct-to-consumer: an in-house Spektrix ticketing platform, telephone and walk-up box office, plus authorised resellers (Official London Theatre, London Theatre Direct, TodayTix, See Tickets).

The business model is hybrid. Earned income is generated from ticket sales (£10–£55, with Young Lyric members at £5 and schools at £15/student), termly classes in theatre, dance, music, and ballet (priced £60–£150/term), space hires, and bar/café operations. Approximately one third of total income is raised through fundraising: Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation grant, individual donors, charitable trusts, public grants, and corporate supporters. A £2 per-basket restoration levy funds maintenance of the historic building. The Free First Night initiative, supported by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, provides borough residents with free Main House tickets.

Beyond ticketed performance, the Lyric runs an extensive participation and education programme under the Young Lyric and Little Lyric brands, serving children and young people aged 0–25 across 10 West London boroughs. Delivery is anchored by long-standing strategic partnerships with Dance West, Musiko Musika, Amici Dance Theatre, Turtle Key Arts, Action on Disability, and New English Ballet Theatre. Bursaries prioritise residents from the most deprived West London wards, and a SEND-specific dance programme (Move it Mondays) is supported by the Go! London Fund. Accessibility is positioned as a core differentiator: the venue offers audio-described, BSL-interpreted, captioned, relaxed, and chilled performances with full wheelchair access and complimentary carer seats. Artistic leadership sits with Rachel O'Riordan (Artistic Director and joint CEO), and Rob Lehmann serves as Director of Young Lyric and Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Name

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

Legal name

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

Website

https://lyric.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is a registered UK charity operating one of the largest subsidised theatres in the country from its 130-year-old venue in Hammersmith, London, serving general audiences, West London youth (0–25), schools, and disabled audiences via ticketed productions, classes, and community participation programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Theatre

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Broadway & Commercial Theatre Productions (MPAGABAA), Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Live theatre productions
• Youth arts education
• Creative dance classes
• Community theatre programmes
• Venue hire services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from selling tickets to theatre productions including Main House, Studio, and family/children's performances. Ticket prices range from £10-£55 for main productions, with Young Lyric members accessing £5 tickets.
2. Classes and Workshops: Revenue from creative classes for young people including theatre, dance, music, and ballet. Classes run per term with prices ranging from £60-£150 per term.
3. Memberships: Young Lyric Membership (free for 0-25 in West London boroughs) and Club Little Lyric family membership at £40/year providing discounts on tickets and waiver of restoration levy.
4. Food and Beverage: Lyric Bar serves cocktails, snacks and operates the Roof Garden. Outsider Tart café operates independently on ground floor.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Registered charity relying on charitable support. Raises approximately one third of income from individual donors, charitable trusts, public grants and corporate support. Restoration levy of £2 per basket goes toward building maintenance.
6. Space Hires: Revenue from hiring spaces including rehearsal rooms, office space, and venue for events and birthday parties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre operates as a performing arts venue in West London, presenting live theatre productions (main house and studio), delivering youth creative classes (theatre, dance, music, ballet) for ages 0-25, and offering community access initiatives. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, termly classes, memberships, food and beverage, venue hires, and approximately one third via charitable donations and grants.

Product overview

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre operates as a single-venue performing arts centre with two theatres (Main House and Studio), offering a diverse programme of productions including drama, pantomime, and children's theatre. The venue runs extensive participation and education programmes through Young Lyric, offering creative classes in theatre, dance, and music for ages 3-25. Hospitality services include the Lyric Bar with Roof Garden and Outsider Tart café. The theatre provides access initiatives including Free First Night for local residents, bursary schemes for classes, and Young Lyric Membership offering discounted tickets. Additional revenue streams include venue hire for rehearsals and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Lyric: Youth membership programme offering £5 tickets to main house shows, performance opportunities, and access to creative classes for young people aged 0-25 living in West London boroughs.
• Little Lyric
• Club Little Lyric

Products and services

• Main House Productions Live theatre productions in the Lyric's primary auditorium featuring a historic Frank Matcham-designed space, hosting major drama, pantomime, and family productions for general audiences.
• Studio Theatre Productions Smaller-scale and children's performances in the Lyric's flexible Studio theatre, including accessible and relaxed performances.
• Young Lyric Classes Termly creative after-school and holiday classes for young people aged 3-25 covering theatre, dance, music, ballet, and SEND dance, delivered directly by the Lyric and partner organisations including Dance West, Musiko Musika, and New English Ballet Theatre.
• Young Lyric Membership A free membership scheme for people aged 0-25 living in one of 10 West London boroughs, offering £5 tickets to main house shows, performance opportunities, and access to creative classes.
• Club Little Lyric Annual £40 family membership offering £2-3 off Little Lyric shows, £10 off family pantomime tickets, waiver of restoration levy, and exclusive newsletter access.
• Lyric Bar & Roof Garden Daytime and evening bar serving cocktails, fine drinks, and snacks, with access to the Roof Garden, open to all visitors and theatre audiences.
• Free First Night Access initiative supported by Hammersmith & Fulham Council offering free tickets to the first night of all Main House productions for borough residents and workers.
• Hire Spaces Venue hire service for rehearsal rooms, office space, and Little Lyric birthday parties, available to external clients.
• Bursary Scheme Bursaries covering full class costs for one term, prioritised for those living within the top 50% of deprived wards in West London.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Outsider TartcoreOthersOutsider Tart operates the ground floor café at the Lyric, opening out onto Lyric Square. They serve breakfast, lunch, and supper with signature pancakes, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and shakes. Has partially covered outdoor seating that can be reserved. Open 9am-5pm outside show times, and until curtain up during performances.
• Dance WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance West delivers dance classes at the Lyric including street dance, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical contemporary, musical theatre, and youth dance company. Classes run per term for various age groups from 3-16 years. Also runs Move it Mondays SEND Dance for 11-17 year olds with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Musiko MusikacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusiko Musika runs the ECCO (Ethnic Contemporary Classical Orchestra) programme, a unique youth ensemble and musical community based at the Lyric. Focuses on creating, composing, rehearsing, and performing diverse repertoire from around the world. Also runs ECCO Young Leaders advanced creative and leadership programme.
• Amici Dance Theatre CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmici Dance Theatre Company is a unique inclusive dance theatre company for disabled and non-disabled artists. Founded by Wolfgang Stange in 1980, they are the resident community arts company at the Lyric, running regular weekly classes for 40+ members and producing biennial full company shows in the Main House theatre.
• Turtle Key ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurtle Key Arts partners with the Lyric to deliver the Key Club programme for 11-25 year olds with disabilities, focusing on disability arts. Also supports Young Amici inclusive dance programme for disabled and non-disabled young people aged 13-25.
• Action on DisabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAction on Disability partners with the Lyric to deliver accessible arts programmes including Journeys (with Lyric) and Friday Club for young people with disabilities aged 11-25.
• New English Ballet TheatresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew English Ballet Theatre delivers children's ballet classes at the Lyric, including Beginners 1 (ages 3-4), Beginners 2 (ages 5-6), and Beginners 3 (ages 7-10). Classes focus on creative, expressive technique and performance.
• Pins & Needles ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPins & Needles Productions co-produces Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas with the Lyric. The Olivier Award-nominated company has been a long-standing partner for family Christmas productions at the theatre.
• HeadlongcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadlong theatre company co-produces August Wilson's Fences with the Lyric, Leeds Playhouse, and HOME Mcr. This is a major co-production partnership bringing landmark American drama to the Lyric's Main House.
• Leeds PlayhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeeds Playhouse co-produces August Wilson's Fences with the Lyric, Headlong, and HOME Mcr. Partnership brings regional theatre collaboration to the Lyric's Main House.
• HOME McrcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOME Manchester co-produces August Wilson's Fences with the Lyric, Headlong, and Leeds Playhouse. Partnership represents major regional theatre network collaboration.
• Hammersmith & Fulham CouncilcoreOthersHammersmith & Fulham Council supports the Free First Night initiative, providing free tickets to borough residents for first nights of all Main House productions. This civic partnership ensures community access to theatre.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Young Vic Theatre: London subsidised producing theatre with a comparable scale, similar mix of in-house productions and co-productions, and a strong youth/community engagement programme. Operates a single venue in Waterloo with similar mixed-revenue model including classes and participation work.
• Royal Court Theatre: London-based producing theatre focused on new writing and co-productions. Comparable in scale, programming model, and reliance on public subsidy and charitable income, with a similar producing (rather than receiving) orientation.
• Bush Theatre: West London subsidised producing theatre with comparable size and new-writing focus. Operates a single venue, receives Arts Council NPO funding, and runs participation programmes — closely aligned operating profile.
• Donmar Warehouse: London producing theatre with a single-venue model, mixed programme of classics and new work, and comparable scale of operation. Receives public subsidy and operates similar co-production and ticketing dynamics.
• Old Vic: Heritage London theatre venue producing a mix of in-house and co-produced work. Comparable single-venue operating model, public subsidy reliance, and engagement programme structure — although with broader national brand recognition.
• Battersea Arts Centre: South London subsidised arts venue with a strong community participation programme and heritage building (former town hall). Operates a comparable mixed-revenue model with ticket sales, classes, hires, and donations.
• Sadler's Wells: London performing arts venue comparable in scale and programming breadth, including dance, family programming, and participation work via partner organisations (e.g., Amici Dance Theatre appears at both). Single-venue model with mixed revenue streams.
• Leeds Playhouse: Regional subsidised producing theatre that is an active co-production partner with the Lyric (August Wilson's Fences). Comparable size, subsidy model, and engagement programme, but operates in the North of England rather than London.

Broad incumbents

• National Theatre: Largest subsidised producing theatre in the UK with multiple auditoria on a single site. Overlaps in co-production partnerships (e.g., Headlong) and programming, but operates at materially larger scale with national reach and NT Live distribution.
• Royal Shakespeare Company: Major UK subsidised producing theatre with deep co-production networks across regional theatres (including Leeds Playhouse). Larger scale and national/international reach, but overlapping producing model and reliance on charitable income.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LyricHammer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lyric Hammersmith Theatre