Running With Lions at Lyric Hammersmith announces full cast

Casting has been confirmed for Running With Lions at the Lyric Hammersmith.

The co-production between Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company will be the world premiere of the debut stage play from new writing talent Sian Carter.

The cast will feature Ruby Barker best known for playing Marina Thompson in Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton, Wil Johnson, who has performed extensively on stage and screen for 30 years, including Waking the Dead (BBC), Nickcolia King N’da (The Death of a Blackman, Hampstead Theatre), Suzette Llewellyn (EastEnders, BBC), and Velile Tshabalala (Doctor Who and Call the Midwife, BBC).

Running With Lions plays at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 10 February to 12 March 2022.

Following the death of a loved one, a British-Caribbean family struggles to come to terms with their grief.

Isolated by their generational beliefs and challenges to their faith and mental health, they live between the things they do and do not say. Running with Lions explores the journey of one family’s reconciliation after loss and the rediscovery of love and joy.

The production will be directed by Talawa’s Artistic Director Michael Buffong with set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour (Macbeth, Almeida; Out West, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre), lighting design by Aideen Malone (Death of a Salesman, Young Vic and West End), sound design by Tony Gayle (Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, West End) and casting by Chandra Ruegg (Lava, Bush Theatre).

Tickets are on sale now from lyric.co.uk/shows/running-with-lions. As part of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s Free First Night scheme, all tickets for the first preview on Thursday 10th February will be free to people who live or work in Hammersmith and Fulham. More details are available from lyric.co.uk/our-home/about-us/free-first-night/.

Michael Buffong, Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company, commented: “Sian Carter is a brilliant new writer; her story of an intergenerational family learning to overcome the challenges we all face today is, I think, life-affirming.

“To be able to co-produce this play with the Lyric is a welcomed dream. We have an amazing cast and I believe this is going to be an absolute treat for audiences.

Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre added: “I’ve long admired the work of Talawa Theatre Company and Michael Buffong and it’s a joy to be working with them on Running with Lions, our very first co-production together, and championing an exceptional new writer, Sian Carter.

“We can’t wait to welcome an incredible cast and team to the Lyric and share this bold, exciting work with audiences in the New Year.”