The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has announced the final line-up for A Very Musical Birthday, a one-night-only celebration marking the theatre’s 130th anniversary. The event will take place on Sunday 19 October 2025 at 5pm, featuring an all-star cast of Lyric friends and alumni in an evening of songs, stories, and theatrical magic.
A star-studded celebration
Hosted by presenter and actress Mel Giedroyc (HMS Pinafore, Starter for Ten) and directed by the Lyric’s Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie, the celebration will feature a glittering line-up including Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Julie Atherton (currently giving a scene stealing performance as Margaret Thatcher in Just For One Day), Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey, Bond series), Dame Sheila Hancock, Clarke Peters (King Lear), and Michael Sheen (Nye, Good Omens, Our Town).
They’ll be joined by Emmanuel Akwafo, Natasha Barnes, Gabriela Benedetti, Maddison Bulleyment, Harriet Caplan-Dean, Jaz Singh Deol, Anoushka Deshmukh, Robert Donnelly, Rima Georges, Thomas Grant, Sam Harrison, Adam Hunter, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, Gracie McGonigal, Rachel Seiran, and Sheridan Townsley.
Together, they will perform favourite songs and scenes from across the theatre’s illustrious 130-year history — from Victorian music hall to modern West End hits — celebrating the Lyric’s legacy as one of London’s most beloved cultural landmarks.
Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, said: “Celebrating a 130th birthday is an incredible achievement and we’re thrilled to be opening the doors to our historic auditorium to celebrate in style. Our beautiful Frank Matcham Main House theatre inspires everything we do: from the world-class productions on stage to our award-winning work with young people. This event will both celebrate that work with a spectacular one-night-only show and also raise vital funds to upgrade our auditorium for the future. We hope to see you there.”
All proceeds from A Very Musical Birthday will go towards the Light Up the Lyric campaign, a fundraising initiative supporting essential upgrades to the lighting in the Lyric’s historic Frank Matcham-designed auditorium. The campaign aims to ensure the theatre remains vibrant and accessible for generations to come.
Coming soon to the Lyric
Upcoming shows at the Lyric Hammersmith include the festive pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, starring X Factor finalist Joey James (TINA: The Tina Turner Musical) as Jack, and John Partridge (EastEnders, La Cage aux Folles) as the villainous Fleshcreep.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Lyric’s new season features Jocelyn Bioh’s Tony Award-winning Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (UK premiere, 18 March), Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband (May), and the world premiere of Ben Ockrent’s Relics, directed by Michael Longhurst (Woman in Mind with Sheridan Smith).
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