Lyric Hammersmith, ETT and Sheffield Theatres to present THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, ETT and Sheffield Theatres have announced a new co-production of Bertolt Brecht’s The Good Person of Szechwan, due to open in Spring 2023.

Written by Nina Segal, directed by Sheffield Theatres RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau, and commissioned by ETT, the production will run at Sheffield Theatres from 11 March-1 April before transferring to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 15 April-13 May. Casting and the full creative team will be announced in due course.

‘What is the cost of being good?’

Three gods search for just one honest person on earth to justify humanity’s existence. Finding Shen Te, penniless but principled, they reward her with a life-changing amount of cash. But starting her own business in a money centred, unequal society, her fortune soon turns to frustration as the more kindness she shows, the more complicated life becomes.

Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, said:   “I am delighted to be partnering with English Touring Theatre (ETT) and Sheffield Theatres on this ambitious new vision for Brecht’s extraordinary play. Nina Segal is a writer with huge heart, and I am so excited for what she and director Anthony Lau reimagine for this extraordinary story of human resilience and the power of compassion. Lyric audiences will be thrilled to see this ambitious, large-scale production on our beautiful stage in West London. With a visionary creative team, Brecht’s passionate, humane and moving portrait of a community will be something we can all relate to.”

The Good Person of Szechwan features design by Georgia Lowe, lighting and by Jessica Hung Han Yun.