About Us
Over Here Theatre Company was founded in 2001 by expat North American actors, writers and directors to perform new American writing in London. They produced a series of political comedy sketch shows, Channel 53, as well as the plays American Dream and Gringo by artistic director Lydia Parker at the Union Theatre and New Wimbledon Studio. Over Here continues in its mission to produce quality work about American life for British audiences. Productions will alternate between new North American writing and older, rediscovered American work. As there is a strong community of expat Americans theatre practitioners in the UK, the theatre company employs them whenever possible to lend authenticity and experience to the productions.
Lydia Parker - Artistic Director
Originally from New York where she worked as an actor, director and playwright, Lydia has most recently directed One Whole Night( White Bear Theatre) and Belvedere (Old Red Lion Theatre) by Ana-Maria Bamberger, Maybe, Probably by Eric Henry Sanders (Old Red Lion Theatre) and The Actor’s Nightmare by Christopher Durang (Park Theatre). She has also directed Dolphins and Sharks by James Anthony Tyler and Our American Cousin by Tom Taylor (Finborough Theatre) , Superman and Me by Suzette Coon (Canal Café Theatre) A Big Fridge by James Fritz (Hen and Chickens Theatre and the Park Theatre), Something There That's Missing by Anh Chu (Theatre503 and The Space@Jury's Inn), Skinhead by Jessica Brown (Brockley Jack Studio) and Our Children Will Be Next by Suzette Coon (Theatre503).
Before moving to London, Lydia founded an English language theatre in Puerto Rico which produced Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Her original plays Gringo and American Dream were produced at The Union Theatre and New Wimbledon Studio by Over Here Theatre Company.
The press on director Lydia Parker and Over Here Theatre Company
“Over Here Theatre Company (with a cast of American actors based in the UK) creates a touching and painfully relevant show, that eventually leaves the audience with a wide smile, and a ton of thoughts to go over on a way home.”
West End Evenings on Maybe, Probably
“Six short plays, five stunning actors, magical lighting from Jai Morjaria and sharp direction from Lydia Parker, The Actor’s Nightmare is a well-observed romp through the insanity of the theatrical profession.”
Camden New Journal
“Funny, fast paced, warm-hearted and ultimately very challenging. Director Lydia Parker does a stunning job of keeping the elements well-balanced and getting top quality performances out of her small cast. This is Off West End at its very best – go and see it.”
Plays To See on Dolphins and Sharks
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"Credit should be given to Parker for her direction, which manages to corral all these disparate elements skilfully and understands exactly when you need to add a dance routine to carry a scene along."
Bargain Theatreland on Our American Cousin
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"Over Here Theatre Company has much to say and a bedrock of talent from which to do so compellingly"
Time Out on American Dream/Gringo
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"This production is filled with a wonderful variety of wit and humour, clever concepts and poignancy"
Everything Theatre on Our Children Will Be Next
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"These Americans (Over Here Theatre Company) really succeed in showing us Brits the standards that are achievable at Fringe level. Parker's writing is snappy, fast moving, funny and incisive and the acting is of the highest level.”
Theatreworld on American Dream/Gringo
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"A bitter-sweet double-bill – an impressive debut for the material, and the company."
Jane Hutchinson, WhatsOnStage on American Dream/Gringo