THE LYRIC'S chief executive has paid tribute to the architect who pumped new life into the theatre 10 years ago.
American-born Rick Mather died on April 20, aged 75, after a heart attack.
At the Lyric Hammersmith he created a new entrance, ticket office and rehearsal facilities. Other work includes adapting Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Wallace Collection, the Ashmolean in Oxford, the South Bank and the National Maritime Museum. He is also responsible for the Lyric’s current £17million project.
Jessica Hepburn, joint chief executive, said: “Rick’s remodelling of the theatre reorientated our small front door in King Street to an impressive new entrance in Lyric Square which included a ticket office, street level café, rehearsal room and workshop space.
“Over the past few years, we have been working together again on an extension to the theatre which will create facilities for our work with artists and young people. The project, scheduled for completion in summer 2014, is testament to Rick’s unique skill at weaving together the new and the old and will form the creative heart of the regeneration of Hammersmith town centre.”
