Liverpool Theatre Festival at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

Liverpool Theatre Festival

20-30 July 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Liverpool Theatre Festival
Image courtesy of Bill Elms/ Liverpool Theatre Festival.
Book now

Liverpool Theatre Festival brings its fourth edition of live open air theatre back to the city this summer. Taking over the atmospheric St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, the brilliant festival features musical theatre, drama, comedy, cabaret, opera and children’s shows.

Live open air theatre comes back to Liverpool this summer.

Created by theatre producer Bill Elms, the first Liverpool Theatre Festival took place in 2020 and was set up as a lifeline for Liverpool’s live arts and creative sector following the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic. Presented in the apt surroundings of the Bombed Out Church – hit during the Liverpool Blitz of 1941 – the symbolic setting acts as a reminder of challenging times and a community’s strength to pull through.

So what can we expect from the festival for 2023? Well, in previous years we’ve seen an exciting and eclectic outdoor programme featuring established theatre companies and artists, alongside emerging musical stars, comedy nights and festival premieres.

This year, the festival has shifted to take place slightly earlier in the year. Happening right at the start of the school summer holidays, we’re made up that the programme includes some great shows for the whole family to enjoy together.

Liverpool Theatre Festival
Image courtesy of David Munn.

Two new commissions will premiere at the 2023 festival: Sober Companion, a brand new play written and performed by Joe McGann and Jake Norton, and a lively new children’s show – Fred The Musical – based on Fay Evans’ book about a fire-sneezing dragon.

Further highlights include Whatever Happened to Billy Kenny, a stunning one-man show starring Jay Johnson based on the real-life story of the Everton footballer; the outrageous and totally impromptu show, Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit – witness the witty theatre company, Pinch Punch create a unique production based on audience stories and suggestions, and a wonderful new production of The Tempest by the multi award-winning A Place for Us Theatre Company.

Meanwhile, music lovers can take their pick from the eclectic line-up of shows, featuring sensational soul, unforgettable opera and Sinatra-style swing. Do check out Gladys Knight…The Story starring the sensational Chantel Cole, Perfectly Frank with Liverpool’s very own David Knopov, and Viva Tenori – A Celebration of the Three Tenors from Liverpool-based company, Absolute Opera.

Liverpool Theatre Festival 2023 offers the perfect opportunity to introduce younger family members to theatre too. Round up the family tree and take your pick from page-to-stage adaptation, The Oogy Boogy Man; panto-style show The Magic Bookmark; Edinburgh Fringe success Magic Gareth, and the storybook musical, The Monkey with No Bum.

With even more shows still to be announced, we’re super thrilled that the Liverpool Theatre Festival is back for summer 2023. Keep your eyes on the full programme and be sure to get booked in early. We’ll bring you more information as soon as we have it.

Where to go near Liverpool Theatre Festival at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church

The Bombed Out Church Garden Bar
Liverpool
Bar or Pub
Bombed Out Church Garden Bar

The legendary bombed-out church, otherwise known as St Luke’s Church, has opened a garden bar in its grounds, offering premium drinks via socially-distanced table service only.

food and drink
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Cafe Tabac

Cafe Tabac is the longest running café bar in Liverpool, serving food and drinks to arty locals and curious newcomers.

food and drink
Liverpool
Restaurant
Italian Club Fish

Italian Club Fish on Liverpool’s lively Bold Street aka restaurant central, is a haven for seafood lovers and fans of authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Maray

Much-loved Liverpool restaurant, specialising in forward-thinking small plate dishes.

record shop
City Centre
Shop
81 Renshaw

81 Renshaw is a record store in Liverpool city centre, selling new and second-hand vinyl from a location with a long musical history

City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Bold Street Coffee

A super cool cafe at the top of Bold Street, Bold Street Coffee in Liverpool serves a range of specialist coffee, cakes and sandwiches.

food and drink
City Centre
Restaurant
BAM BOO

BAM BOO delivers a slice of paradise right in Liverpool city centre, with indulgent meals and delicious cocktails.

City Centre
Shop
69A

Junk emporium 69A in Liverpool is the shop that time forgot. It has been peddling vintage wares since 1976.

wine bar
City Centre
Restaurant
The Oracle

The Oracle is a mysteriously classy cocktail bar with magicians performing tricks at your table, right in the centre of Liverpool

What's on: Theatre

A large mechanical puppet controlled by multiple people. Encounter Festival in Preston
FestivalsLancashire
Encounter Festival in Preston

Expect a jam-packed day of outdoor performance, live music, family fun – plus Preston’s iconic Torchlight Procession and fireworks finale.

Free entry
FLIGHT at Aviva Studios
Until
TheatreCity Centre
FLIGHT at Aviva Studios

Happening in absolute darkness inside a 40ft shipping container, FLIGHT invites you to board a commercial airliner – and take two possible journeys.

From £10.00
How a Spiral Works at Lowry
TheatreSalford
How A Spiral Works at Lowry

With its blend of Baltic folk music, contemporary dance and extraordinary circus, this show promises a one-of-a-kind performance experience.

From £14.00
ARCADE at Lowry
Until
TheatreMediaCityUK
ARCADE at Lowry

A choose-your-own-adventure experience set inside a retro-style gaming cabinet, created by DARKFIELD.

From £16.00
SÉANCE at HOME
Until
TheatreManchester
SÉANCE at HOME

Happening at HOME, SÉANCE transforms the interior of a shipping container into a Victorian séance room.

From £13.00

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Theatre this month bursts with contrasts - from bold new writing and Black History Month highlights to contemporary arts and reimagined classics.

Cinema in the North

This month we recommend a season of Film noir, cult Australian movies and a huge celebration of DIY community cinema.

Exhibitions in the North

Galleries around the North are gearing up for a new season of exhibitions - from iconic art prizes to smaller, artist-led gems.

Wisp Press Image
Music in the North

From corrupted shoegaze to experimental electronica, post-hardcore to Indian classical, these are the shows that should be on your radar.