Lyric Hammersmith 2027 Season Programme Announced in London 2027

Key Points

• Artistic Vision: As reported by Stephi Wild of BroadwayWorld and Milo Garth of Best of Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan has announced the venue’s full 2027 season, describing it as “a statement of intent: a big, bold celebration of our audience and the artists who make such incredible work here.”
• Season Breakdown: The upcoming 2027 programme features three world premieres, three London premieres, and one returning audience favourite.
• Returning Favourite: Jocelyn Bioh’s Tony Award-winning comedy Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, directed by Monique Touko, returns from 20 January to 27 February 2027 following a previous sold-out run.
• High-Profile Directors & Writers: The season includes high-profile contributions from directors such as Rufus Norris (marking his first London production since leaving the National Theatre) and Sarah Frankcom, alongside writers and adapters including Conor McPherson, Inua Ellams, Stewart Pringle, Kieran Hurley, and Alistair McDowall.
• New Partnerships: The theatre is launching a brand-new creative partnership with Hackney Showrooms to showcase cutting-edge work in the Studio throughout 2027, alongside collaborations with national organisations such as the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS).

London (West London Times) October 27, 2026 — Executive Summary: The Lyric uk/local/hammersmith-and-fulham/hammersmith/">Hammersmith Theatre has officially revealed its ambitious 2027 theatrical calendar. Led by Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan, the season brings together renowned national directors, celebrated playwrights, and major theatrical partnerships, offering London audiences a diverse mixture of high-profile revivals, literary adaptations, and world premieres.

What Are the Major Highlights of the Lyric Hammersmith 2027 Theatre Programme?

As reported by Milo Garth of Best of Theatre, the 2027 season opens in January with the return of Jocelyn Bioh’s hit comedy Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Running from 20 January to 27 February 2027, the production is directed by Monique Touko. As noted by BroadwayWorld journalist Stephi Wild, the play welcomes audiences back into a bustling Harlem braiding salon where neighbourhood women gather under the care of West African immigrant braiders.

Following this, the season features the London premiere of Inua Ellams’ epic Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, directed by Roy Alexander Weise, running from 13 April to 8 May 2027. As detailed by theatre publications, this piece explores historical bonds and powers leading up to the creation of Nigeria.

How Does Royal Shakespeare Company Collaboration Shape the Season?

As highlighted by TheatreWeekly, former National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris is set to direct Brock’s Mill, a new family drama written by Stewart Pringle. Running from 13 May to 5 June 2027, this project is staged as a Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) production in association with the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. As stated by Milo Garth of Best of Theatre, this marks a significant milestone as Norris’s first London theatre production since stepping down from his national leadership role.

What World Premieres and Literary Adaptations Are Scheduled for Summer and Autumn 2027?

As reported across theatre news outlets, the programme continues with several major world premieres and literary adaptations:

• Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Running from 17 June to 17 July 2027, acclaimed writer Conor McPherson has adapted Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s bestselling novel. As described by TheatreWeekly, this world premiere brings the beloved time-travelling café story to the UK stage for the very first time.
• The Book Thief: Running from 24 July to 28 August 2027, the musical adaptation of Markus Zusak’s global bestseller features music and lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, a libretto by Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald, and direction by Tom Jackson Greaves (originally directed by Lotte Wakeham).
• The Young Team: Running from 31 August to 25 September 2027, Kieran Hurley has adapted Graeme Armstrong’s debut novel. Co-produced with the National Theatre of Scotland and directed by Rachel O’Riordan, the production transfers to Hammersmith following a run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
• We Have Always Lived in the Castle: Closing the main season from 7 October to 6 November 2027, Alistair McDowall adapts Shirley Jackson’s final gothic novel. Directed by Sarah Frankcom, this world premiere explores isolation, family tragedy, and societal ostracisation.

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Background of the Development

The announcement of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s 2027 season reflects a broader strategic shift among prominent London producing houses toward collaborative co-productions and risk-taking artistic partnerships. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan, the theatre has consistently positioned itself as an incubator for contemporary storytelling and cross-cultural narratives—exemplified by previous successes such as Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. By partnering with national heavyweights like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Scotland, alongside grassroots innovators like Hackney Showrooms, the Lyric aims to sustain high-calibre regional and international touring work in West London while weathering ongoing funding and economic pressures within the UK arts sector.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Theatre Audiences and the Local Community

This ambitious 2027 line-up is expected to significantly boost footfall and cultural tourism in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. For local audiences and regular theatregoers, the curation of high-profile literary adaptations (Before the Coffee Gets Cold, The Book Thief) alongside gritty contemporary dramas (The Young Team) ensures broad demographic appeal, drawing both younger audiences and traditional drama enthusiasts to West London. Furthermore, the introduction of the Hackney Showrooms studio partnership will likely provide crucial platforming for experimental and cutting-edge artists, solidifying the Lyric’s reputation as an essential hub for theatrical innovation and community engagement throughout 2027.