In an age dominated by spectacular cinema, it’s hard to surprise anyone with a simple stage play. Yet, there’s an undeniable charm to this ancient, straightforward art form. If the plot is engaging and the acting is top-notch, a show can still draw a crowd, even today. This certainly holds true for a city like Liverpool, home to vibrant theatre groups such as the Liverpool Network Theatre Group (LNTG), which we’ll be exploring in depth right here on liverpool-trend.com.
The Origins and Mission
The Liverpool Network Theatre Group was founded on the idea of theatre as a political force capable of bringing about positive social change, according to a website dedicated to similar organisations across England. This vision was championed by the group’s former leader, Graham Froud, who sadly passed away in September 2003. The LNTG itself was actually established in 1984, nearly five decades after the founding of the MLTG – the Merseyside Left Theatre Group – which is often considered the ‘grandmother’ of the Network Theatre Group.
The company describes itself as non-professional, yet they strive to produce high-quality, relevant plays. While they draw themes and scripts from classics (especially comedies), they are also committed to staging contemporary works. The group puts on roughly three main productions a year, though its members are encouraged to participate in other local theatre projects as well.
Historical Context and Core Philosophy
As noted, before the Network, there was the MLTG, which was later succeeded by the Merseyside Unity Theatre Group (MUT). The MUT was a touring company that used the iconic Unity Theatre building on Hope Place from the moment it was constructed.
The aforementioned Graham Froud was one of the founders of the original MLTG back in the 1930s. He passed away at the age of 88, shortly after performing his final play with the Network Theatre Group.
The Liverpool Network Theatre Group aims to create productions that are accessible and engaging to the general public. While they occasionally stage classic playwrights, such as Shakespeare, the LNTG founders believe that the style or origin of a dramatic work should never stop it from being relevant and exciting for a modern audience.
The LNTG stages performances in various venues. This includes summer programmes with shows in Liverpool’s parks and gardens. They hold open auditions for these productions, which usually attract a large number of the creative team’s members. Moreover, LNTG members actively participate in other local theatre projects—whether professional, amateur, or community-based.
Drop-in Workshops: The Group’s Calling Card
The LNTG also offers weekly ‘drop-in’ workshops (meaning no mandatory pre-registration is required) on days that suit the participants. These sessions are open to all interested adults, regardless of their previous experience or skill level.
The masterclasses are led by group members or invited guests and cover a variety of acting concepts and techniques. They run on a regular basis and are not tied to specific productions or rehearsals. However, before auditions begin, directors of upcoming shows are always invited to run relevant workshops.
This system of regular, informal weekly workshops is arguably the key feature that sets the LNTG apart from other theatre groups. The meetings typically attract between 12 and 24 people, spanning a range of experience from complete novices to seasoned performers. Attendees usually stay on afterwards to discuss the session and socialise.
Membership in the LNTG is not mandatory for everyone, but it is a requirement for anyone participating in public productions. The group boasts over 1,900 Facebook members and nearly 400 subscribers to their email newsletter.
There is no doubt that the Liverpool Network Theatre Group, despite its non-professional status, makes a huge contribution to the city’s vibrant theatre scene.
