The Lyric Hammersmith have announced the appointment of Rachel O’Riordan as the theatre’s new Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive.
She replaces the long-serving Sean Holmes, who earlier this week announced his final set of programmed productions in 2019.
Rachel has been the Artistic Director and CEO of Sherman Theatre since February 2014. During her tenure the theatre has been transformed into a vibrant, exciting and influential producing theatre, winning The Stage Awards’ prestigious Regional Theatre of the Year category in 2018. She was previously the Artistic Director of Perth Theatre Scotland and Ransom Theatre Company in Northern Ireland. An award-winning director, her recent directing credits include The Cherry Orchard for Sherman Theatre and Come on Home at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin.
Rachel will join Sian Alexander, the Lyric’s Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive since October 2015, to co-lead the theatre.
She commented on her appointment: “The Lyric Hammersmith is one of the most exciting theatres in London. It occupies a special place in the theatre ecology; egalitarian, open and bold.
“I am looking forward to continuing the theatre’s journey and leading a new phase of artistic evolution, working alongside Sian Alexander and the Lyric team. I am honoured to have been chosen to succeed Sean Holmes, and look forward to getting to know new audiences in West London and beyond.”
Rachel will join the Lyric Hammersmith in early February 2019, with her first full season as Artistic Director opening Autumn 2019.