Starting with 'incendiary' play Herons on January 15

Following the success off its festive shows, Cinderella and Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas, the Lyric Hammersmith has unveiled a variety of exciting productions for the spring season.

Simon Stephens' Herons kick off the season, as artistic director Sean Holmes revives the moving story of a 14-year-old’s misery at the hands of a gang.

This "unflinching and incendiary" play, which has not been professionally produced since its premiere at the Royal Court in 2001 will run from January 15 to February 13.

Herons is followed by the return of the Lyric’s co-production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Filter Theatre, which
was last staged in 2012.

Given a unique and irreverent twist, and featuring music from members of The London Snorkelling Team, this classic tale of young lovers and warring fairies will be staged from February 20 to March 19.

In May, there’s a chance to take a new look at the world of opera, as the Royal Opera presents two contemporary productions.

A former BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, composer Mark Simpson has created the opera Pleasure, which will feature British soprano Lesley Garrett during its premiere run from May 12-14.

On a similarly adult theme, composer Philip Venables has adapted the play 4:48 Psychosis, by the playwright Sarah Kane, into an opera to debut on May 24, 26, 27 and 28.

Other upcoming productions at the Lyric include Evolution on January 22 and 23, a two day multi-art form festival for and by young artists and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice on February 16 - 20, Little Lyric February Half Term shows.

The redevelopment was the Lyric’s first major facelift in 35 years. It included a new café and bar, toilets and a two-storey extension which will be named the Reuben Foundation Wing in recognition of a generous grant from the Reuben brothers’ charitable foundation.

The new facilities also include drama, dance and recording studios, an editing suite, music practice rooms, a film & TV studio, a 50-seat cinema, a digital playspace, a sensory space for children with disabilities, props and costume stores, wardrobe and scenic workshops, as well as meeting and seminar rooms.

Sean Holmes, artistic director of the Lyric Hammersmith, says: " 2015 has been monumental for the Lyric with the reopening, and the coming years will be a very exciting time.

" So we are delighted to announce our 2016 spring season – a provocative and playful programme of reimagined texts.

" The return of Filter's crazed Midsummer Night’s Dream; a disrespectful revival of Herons - Simon Stephens’s searing examination of pained youth; and the premiere of two radical new operas - Philip Venables' adaptation of Sarah Kane's 4:48 Psychosis as well as Mark Simpson's Pleasure."

For times, tickets or more details, visit the theatre's website.

January 8, 2016