Little-known stories of Liverpool theatres and arts organisations

Liverpool boasts many art organisations that can reveal many interesting secrets and contribute to the development of art, particularly theatre. They create performances and scenes for specific purposes. There are also historic buildings in the centre of Merseyside that once served as theatres, but over time, they closed or underwent reconstruction and retained their functions. They all played an important role in history, which is worth knowing about. Learn more at liverpool-trend.com.

Uncover Liverpool

The Uncover Liverpool organisation calls itself a guide to the city’s culture and art. Culture is a broader phenomenon than just a theatre, therefore, the organisation specialises in performances, concerts and festivals too. Uncover Liverpool is supported by the Culture Network LCR, whose members pay a contribution of 0.1% to the company’s annual turnover. It helps to increase the impact of arts and culture on the region thanks to Uncover Liverpool’s dedicated team.

Uncover Liverpool used to be a project of an independent social enterprise Open Culture. Culture lovers have been delighted with a new comprehensive guide to Liverpool’s cultural scene. The organisation promotes plays and performances. Some of its projects are Tickle the Ivories, a street piano music festival, and LightNight, an annual one-day arts festival. 50 venues in the city centre host 100 free events, including street performances, for audiences of all ages until late at night. 

The organisation is also committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint in Liverpool. It is a member of Shift, a sustainability network for Liverpool’s cultural organisations, and uses a UK-based carbon-neutral website hosting by Mello Hosting. It uses energy-efficient technology or offsets its carbon emissions.

But most importantly, Uncover Liverpool helps those willing to get involved in the local creative scene. The organisation can help with a short-term job or the realisation of long-term career ambitions in the arts. It assists in learning, working and developing talent.

Epstein Entertainments

The Epstein Theatre, formerly known as the Neptune Theatre, was built in 1913. It was originally built as a concert hall and there was a music shop above. The building was five stories high, with office space on the upper floors. The auditorium became a theatre after the expansion. It was also facilitated by the construction of a tower and stage in the adjacent building.

The Epstein Theatre is a historic Liverpool landmark with an exquisite interior, including mahogany, plasterwork, classical pilasters and busts of famous composers. The interior featuring an almost square hall and balcony creates an intimate atmosphere, which is enhanced by decorative elements in the Greek style, such as a frieze with a Greek key ornament.

The first threats of its closure arose in the 1960s. However, Liverpool City Council purchased the building, preserving it for the community. In 2011, the theatre reopened under the Epstein name after a significant renovation costing about £1,000,000.

The theatre faced financial difficulties in the 21st century, especially in the 2020s. Due to a lack of funds, the city council decided not to renew the lease and the theatre closed its doors in June 2023. The building, now known as the Hanover House, is vacant and as of 2024, negotiations were underway regarding its future. The local community is supportive of the idea of ​​preserving the theatre, but it is likely to require subsidies.

Empire Theatre on Lime Street

The Liverpool Empire Theatre on Lime Street has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. It features a number of changes and modernisations that have allowed the building to remain a city’s landmark. Still, let’s not forget that the main thing in the theatre isn’t its interior, but its performances, which we will describe below too.

History and reconstructions

So, first of all, let’s talk about the history of the old theatre.

• 1866. Initially, the institution was known as the New Prince of Wales Theatre and Opera House. In a year, it was named the Royal Alexandra Theatre and Opera House, after the Princess of Wales, which reflected its importance in the cultural life of Liverpool.

• 1886. The theatre was renamed the Empire. Over time, ше became a famous venue for performances by world-class stars.

• 1924. The Empire Theatre moved to a new building and cemented its status as the city’s premier theatre. It has hosted such notable performers as The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Queen.

• 1999. The theatre building experienced a major refurbishment of the stage and facade, which prepared it for a new era in its history. Thanks to the renovation, the Empire continued to welcome audiences in more comfortable conditions and with improved technical abilities.

• Further plans for modernisation. To maintain its appearance and ensure longevity, the theatre is applying for another facade refurbishment. The planned changes include the installation of modern LED signage to replace old posters and the repair of external elements. These changes are aimed at preserving the theatre as a cultural centre for the long term.

The Liverpool Empire Theatre is the largest second-tier theatre in the UK with a seating capacity of 2,350. The theatre has long been a cultural landmark in Liverpool and its refurbishment is another step to continue its history.

Reporter’s impressions of one of its 2024 performances

Megan Banner, a reporter for the Liverpool Echo, has shared her impressions of the Empire Theatre’s musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She describes the show as a source of genuine inspiration and joy, bringing a sincere smile to her face. She also admits that it is one of the most moving moments in her theatre experience.

Megan praises the incredible cast, including Adam Garcia as Caractacus Potts and local actress The Vivienne as the Childcatcher. The adaptation of the old film of the same name has many memorable moments: a scene with a magical machine that takes flight above the audience’s heads, impressive special effects and a masterful production that creates the illusion of real flight. Megan was literally enchanted, watching Chitty rise with the characters into the starry sky.

Another key moment the reporter mentions is the performance’s interactivity. During the song of the same name as the musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the hall exploded with singing and applause. Megan notes that although the plot features quite heavy elements, in particular the kidnapping of children, the stage adaptation successfully balances tension and humour, giving the audience not only unexpected twists but also positive emotions.

The reporter recommends the musical as an event of the year. She says that it will leave a unique mark on the soul of everyone who visits the Empire Theatre, primarily because of its extremely happy ending. You can’t disagree with her, especially if you are familiar with the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film and loved it as a child.