Writer and Actor from Shepherd's Bush Gets Her Big Break at the Lyric
Kane Feagan benefits from the theatre's talent development scheme
Kane Feagan
25-year-old Kane Feagan, who was born and raised in Shepherd’s Bush, has been visiting the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith for over a decade.
Now, residents get to see her step out of the audience to perform in the theatres latest main house show ‘Closer’ – a new take on a modern classic about passion, love, jealously and betrayal.
The up-and-coming writer and aspiring actor kickstarted her career through the Lyric’s talent-development programme Springboard.
Supported by the council, the two-year part-time training course offers a performance pathway into employment for aspiring actors aged 18 to 25 who live in West London, have zero to little formal drama training and are currently underrepresented in theatre.
Kane said, “It’s completely free, which is very important because not all of us come from a family that can pay for everything.
“Being a part of Springboard has pushed me even more to want to pursue my career in acting. It’s really developed my skills and knowledge about how theatre works.”
Rob Lehmann, Director of Young Lyric at the Lyric theatre added, “The Lyric has a long-standing history and track-record of talent development.
“Our aim is to nurture and champion the next generation of theatre talent from West London and beyond.”
Watch the Kane Feagan video on YouTube.
Each year, the Springboard programme provides 10 trainees with the opportunity to experience ‘the whole 360 view of a theatre’.
From shadowing different departments – including fundraising, finance and producing – to accessing the Lyric’s rehearsal rooms and working in the studios alongside fellow trainees and professionals alike, “it fully opens our artistic doors,” said Rob.
“It is a massive community theatre. They’re very much about bringing in young people,” said Kane.
She continued, “Not a lot of theatres are accessible, especially if you’ve not had professional training. To have one so close by that has wide open arms to greet you in is really special. I’m so lucky to be a part of that.”
Applications for 2023 will open in autumn 2022. You can find out more about the programme on the Lyric Hammersmith website.
The Lyric's current production, Closer, is running until 13 August. The London-based drama shows the painful repercussions of attraction between the four main characters.
Closer at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith. Picture: Marc Brenner
“Lucky for me, I am part of the Closer chorus; the main house production here at the Lyric,” explained Kane.
“It’s about love, honesty, and intimacy. And it’s really punchy!”
After facing stiff competition in the auditions, Kane was selected as one of four Springboard trainees to perform in the show.
“It’s been an incredible experience working with so many professionals. I’ve learned so much from the main cast actors, the director and everyone working behind the scenes to make the show what it is.”
Written by Patrick Marber and directed by Olivier Award winner Clare Lizzimore, the play-gone-film-gone-play introduces Alice, Dan, Anna and Larry; four strangers who fall in love and fall apart.
Their story is currently being told on the Lyric Hammersmith theatre stage in King Street with tickets available from £15.
Daily evening shows are available, Mondays through Saturdays (7.30pm), with accessible showings and additional matinee shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays (2.30pm).
People who live or work in the borough can get two free tickets to the first night of all Main House Lyric productions, and four free tickets for Lyric Pantos.
Enter the ballot or learn more about the joint Free First Night scheme.
Apart from the Lyric, the borough is home to six more theatres including Bush Theatre, Barons Court Theatre, The Polish Theatre, Riverside Studios, Eventim Apollo and Finborough Theatre.
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August 1, 2022