Chester & Wirral

Places of interest - Theatre/Entertainment

Liverpool Empire

Lime Street, Liverpool, L1 1JE

The Liverpool Empire is situated on Lime Street in the city centre and is clearly signposted.

Originally opened in 1866 as The Prince of Wales Theatre and Opera House, the Empire has had mixed fortunes over the years. In 1998 the theatre closed for five months for phase one of a major refurbishment. The auditorium was redecorated, seats reupholstered and the front of house areas improved to make the facilities better for audiences. A number of significant backstage changes were also made, including a new flying system, dock doors and lift, orchestra pit lift and all dressing rooms provided with showers, toilets and mirrors with lights round. The most significant change was the extension of the stage by 20 feet at the back, this means there is no longer a touring show in this country that cannot fit on the stage, whereas before shows such as Les Miserables, Phantom, Superstar, Doctor Dolittle and Sunset Boulevard would not have fitted on the stage.

In 2002 phase two of the redevelopment was completed, providing a new building next to the theatre on the corner of Lime Street and London Road. The new building, attached to the theatre by a glass atrium contains a new box office and three floors of multi-function space that can be used for events, parties, weddings, conferences and performances. The new building also contains a lift, providing access to the circle on two levels and so increasing the number of wheelchair spaces in the auditorium.

The Liverpool Empire Theatre forms part of Liverpool’s Cultural Quarter, part of recently acquired World Heritage status and is set to play an important role in 2008 when Liverpool will be European Capital of Culture.

Bus services available

Routes 1, 39, 71 & 72 operate to Liverpool city centre

Liverpool Playhouse and Everyman theatres

Williamson Square, Liverpool City Centre, Liverpool, L1 1EL
Tel: 0151 708 3700

As Liverpool prepares to take on the mantle of European Capital of Culture in 2008, the Everyman and Playhouse are experiencing a dramatic upsurge in creative activity. Since January, they have been continually in production, creating shows which have ensured that ‘Made In Liverpool’ is widely recognised as a stamp of theatrical quality once again.

Around their in-house productions, they host some of the finest touring companies from around the country, to offer a rich and varied programme for the people of Liverpool and Merseyside, and for the increasing number of visitors to the city.

The aim is for these theatres to be an engine for creative excellence, artistic adventure, and audience involvement: firmly rooted in the community, yet both national and international in scope and ambition.