This is London Magazine September Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 16
Photo: Helen Maybanks
16
THE CHILDREN AT LYRIC
HAMMERSMITH
The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has
announced full casting for a new
production of Lucy Kirkwood’s
acclaimed play The Children, directed by
Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan.
Marking the play’s 10th anniversary, this
powerful and darkly comic drama will
run at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
from 2 September to 3 October, with
tickets on sale now. Joining Olivier
Award-nominated Meera Syal (A
Tupperware of Ashes, Noises Off) as
Hazel are Declan Conlon (Faith Healer,
The Playboy of the Western World) as
Robin and Kerry Fox (Cat on a Hot Tin
Roof, Shallow Grave) as Rose.
Set in the aftermath of a catastrophe,
The Children follows Hazel and Robin,
who live on the edge of a radiation
exclusion zone. As they attempt to
maintain a sense of normality, Hazel
continues to practise yoga while Robin
busies himself brewing parsnip wine.
Their fragile routine is disrupted when
their old friend Rose unexpectedly
arrives at their isolated home. Her visit
brings with it long-buried memories,
unresolved secrets and an extraordinary
proposition – one that forces the three
friends to question their loyalties and
confront the extent of their responsibility
to future generations.
The Children runs at Lyric
Hammersmith Theatre from 2 September
to 3 October. www.lyric.co.uk
BIG LONDON TATTOO SHOW
Running from 4-6 September, the Big
London Tattoo Show at the Excel Centre
on Royal Victoria Dock will showcase over
500 national and international tattoo
artists at the largest UK tattoo convention.
Guests will have the opportunity to book
times with their favourite tattoo artists at
their own mini pop-up studio inside the
Excel London, as well as learning about
different styles, exploring artistry, and
experiencing a wide range of entertainment, including fire shows, BMX stunts,
magic performances, fairground rides,
competitions and art/graffiti exhibitions.
This year's event will highlight the
heritage and history of the art form,
alongside celebrations of modern
techniques and advancement. Some
examples include blackout tattoos,
where a large section of skin gets
coloured, made popular by Lionel Messi
and Machine Gun Kelly. Other examples
are ancient tattoo styles unique to
traditional cultures, such as traditional
Japanese ‘tebori’ carving and the Filipino
‘batok’ technique.
During the weekend, there will be
performers taking the main stage, with
the Fuel Girls presenting their fire show.
Other performances will include magic,
speed painting and BMX stunt battles.
The main stage will be located next to
food trucks and the celebrated double
decker bus, turned into a bar on wheels.
LETTERS TO MY YOUNGER
FUTURE SELF
Sixty percent of Britain’s biggest
screen stars started on stage and the
National Youth Theatre is renowned
globally for being a creative home for
many of the best. Its illustrious alumni
include performers from Daniel Craig,
Helen Mirren and Adeel Akhtar, to
Andrea Riseborough, Matt Smith,
Regé-Jean Page and Susan Wokoma.
Dramatists who got an early break with
the leading youth arts charity include
Jack Thorne, James Graham, Miriam
Battye, Lennie James and Sarah
Solemani, not to mention comedians
Tom Allen and Joel Dommett and
musicians Ed Sheeran and Sophie EllisBextor (pictured).
Now, the National Youth Theatre, the
world’s first youth theatre, is to present
many British stars of stage and screen
returning to their NYT roots for a one
night only staged performance, Letters to
My Younger Future Self. The show,
which marks the NYT’s 70th anniversary,
will take place on 20 September at the
Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.
Letters to My Younger Future Self is
supported by Netflix, who since 2023 have
partnered with National Youth Theatre to
create over 4,000 free opportunities to
inspire the next generation of behind-thescenes talent into creative careers.
Tickets are on sale at nyt.org.uk
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