Patricia Allison, Callum Scott Howells, Victoria Smurfit, Rhashan Stone and Deka Walmsley star in Ghosts, a reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play now on at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.
Allison (Sex Education) plays Reggie and Howells (It’s A Sin) is Oz, with Smurfit (Rivals) as Helena, Stone (Tambo & Bones) as Andersen and Walmsley (Roots) as Jacob.
This world premiere production re-situates this classic story into the modern day, and follows in the footsteps of similarly re-lensed classics in the Lyric’s recent history including A Doll’s House and Accidental Death of an Anarchist.
Helena is a woman on a mission. Since the death of her high-flying husband, she has dedicated herself to reclaiming his legacy. And her hard work is about to pay off, with a new children’s hospital bearing his name on the brink of opening.
But when their son Oz returns to the family home for the grand unveiling, he has ambitions of his own. Ambitions that threaten to unravel their family’s most tightly kept secrets.
The production reunites the team behind Iphigenia in Splott, with Gary Owen’s take on Ibsen’s play directed by Rachel O’Riordan. It is their fifth collaboration together.
Set & costume design is by Merle Hensel, lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi, sound design by Donato Wharton, music by Simon Slater and casting by Anna Cooper. The assistant director is Harper K Hefferon.
Owen and O’Riordan also previously partnered on Romeo & Juliet at the National Theatre and Sherman Theatre; The Cherry Orchard for the Sherman; and Killology, a coproduction between the Sherman and the Royal Court.
Ghosts is playing at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre until May 10, 2025. Tickets: www.lyric.co.uk
Top image: Ghosts – Victoria Smurfit and Rhashan Stone. Photo credit Helen Murray