Theatres in Liverpool

Creative Tourist

Happily, Liverpool’s theatres cater to a wide range of productions – from acclaimed drama at the Everyman to West End transfers at the Empire Theatre. Housed in historically significant and, in some cases, recently restored buildings, you’ll find a varied programme across our guide to Liverpool’s best theatres.

Our top picks

Liverpool Everyman Theatre

Liverpool Everyman Theatre, 5-9 Hope Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BH - Visit now

Twinned with Liverpool Playhouse in Williamson Square, Liverpool Everyman has built a stellar reputation for programming forward-thinking theatre.

Everyman Theatre
Liverpool Everyman / Philip Vile

Liverpool Empire Theatre

Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JE - Visit now

The Liverpool Empire Theatre is the largest two-tier theatre in the country with a capacity of 2,350. Here you will find touring productions of opera, ballet, concerts, comedy and West End shows offering a packed schedule of events.

Epstein Theatre

Epstein Theatre, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 3DZ - Visit now

Formerly known as the Neptune, and built on Hanover Street in 1913, the theatre was renamed the Epstein Theatre in honour of The Beatles’ Manager Brian Epstein. Threatened with permanent closure several times, it reopened in May 2012 after a £1.2m refurbishment. Even with the refurbishment, the interior has kept its cosy, historic interior, but a new sociable bar area has been created.

Liverpool Playhouse

Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1EL - Visit now

The Liverpool Playhouse started out life in 1866 as a music hall, before being developed into a repertory theatre in 1911. Architectural changes have been made to the building over the years, but the Grade II listed structure is the only surviving Victorian Theatre still in active theatrical use in Merseyside. In 1999 a trust was formed, joining the management of the Playhouse with that of the Everyman Theatre. The Playhouse has a varied programme of events from a rock’n’roll panto, to live poetry and comedy.

Liverpool Playhouse / Brian Roberts

Unity Theatre, Liverpool

Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BG - Visit now

One of the best loved theatres in Liverpool, Unity Theatre has a reputation for staging innovative, high quality work in a friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere. With an excellent track record for encouraging new writing and supporting new companies, Unity is at the forefront of the Liverpool theatre scene.

Capstone Theatre

Capstone Theatre, 17 Shaw Street, Liverpool, L6 1HP - Visit now

The Capstone Theatre, Liverpool’s International Arts Venue, is a concert venue for leading national and international musicians, with a vibrant multi-arts programme featuring concerts by some of the best local musicians, performance and film.

Royal Court Theatre

Royal Court Theatre, 1 Roe Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1HL - Visit now

The Royal Court Theatre stages mostly home-grown comedies, somewhat mannered and self-conscious reflections of an inward-looking city.

Where to go in Liverpool

Liverpool
Event venue
Hinterlands

Hinterlands is a multi-purpose venue in Liverpool where events can come to life.

Liverpool
Theatre
Capstone Theatre

The Capstone Theatre, Liverpool’s International Arts Venue, is a concert venue for leading national and international musicians, with a vibrant multi-arts programme featuring concerts by some of the best local musicians, performance and film.

City Centre
Theatre
Grand Central Hall

First opened in 1905, the hall has been a cinema and home to Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. More recently, it has been a nightclub, home to independent traders and – with recent further refurbishment – a 1,200-capacity multi-purpose theatre.

City Centre
Theatre
Epstein Theatre

The Epstein Theatre in Liverpool, formerly known as the Neptune Theatre, was renamed in honour of The Beatles’ Manager Brian Epstein.

Everyman Theatre
City Centre
Theatre
Liverpool Everyman Theatre

The Everyman Theatre on Liverpool’s Hope Street reopened in March 2014 after extensive renovation. It is twinned with the Playhouse on Williamson Square.

City Centre
Theatre
Royal Court Theatre

The Royal Court Theatre stages mostly home-grown comedies, somewhat mannered and self-conscious reflections of an inward-looking city.

City Centre
Theatre
Liverpool Playhouse

The Liverpool Playhouse theatre retains much of its 1911 structure, and has a varied programme of events from a rock’n’roll panto, to live poetry and comedy.

Liverpool Visitor Guides

Liverpool Central Library
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Gerry Potter (credit Lee Baxter)
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