Theatre in Liverpool
Discover the latest theatre in Liverpool — with previews, reviews, interviews and must-see shows across the city’s best venues and stages.
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In Conversation – Wes Williams (Grin Theatre)
For over a decade, Grin Theatre has been a driving force in LGBTQ+ representation within Merseyside’s theatre scene. Founded in 2011, the company has provided a powerful platform for queer creatives through its dynamic productions, workshops, and mentorships. From the beloved annual Queertet festival to thought-provoking plays that challenge audiences, Grin continues to evolve, collaborating with theatre companies across the North West to amplify LGBTQ+ voices. In this interview, we speak with Wes Williams, the…
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Jodie Comer To Bring Prima Facie To Liverpool For Final Tour
Jodie Comer will reprise her award-winning role in Prima Facie for a final tour in 2026, with the production making a highly anticipated stop at Liverpool Playhouse. The Killing Eve star, originally from Liverpool, will return to her hometown for the last leg of the tour, running from 17 to 21 March. Written by Suzie Miller, Prima Facie tells the powerful story of a barrister who defends men accused of rape before experiencing sexual assault…
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A Play Within A Play, Within A Dying Moment: ‘Dead Mom Play’ at Unity Theatre
Dead Mom Play, at Liverpool’s Unity Theatre, dared to confront the raw, uncomfortable edges of grief and artistic creation, and did so with a surprising blend of dark humour and theatrical self-awareness. What initially seemed a straightforward narrative of a young playwright facing his mother’s impending death quickly unfurled into a meta- theatrical exploration of the very act of storytelling and creative performance. The premise, a young playwright grappling with his dying mother and the…
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In Conversation – Lisa Allen, CEO & Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse
When Lisa Allen took the reins as CEO & Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse in September 2024, she stepped into a venue with a strong foundation and a passionate community behind it. With a deep appreciation for the theatre’s role in both artistic excellence and local engagement, Lisa is leading the Playhouse into an exciting new chapter. In this interview, we discuss her first impressions of the venue and the town’s rich history of…
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Review: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake At The Empire Theatre
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, a groundbreaking reimagining of the classic ballet, continues to resonate decades after its debut as we saw tonight at the Liverpool Empire. This 30th-anniversary production of Swan Lake, while perhaps less shocking than its 1995 premiere, retains its anarchic spirit and emotional core, offering a potent exploration of family dynamics, repressed desire, and the search for identity. Bourne’s genius lies in his ability to blend the familiar narrative with a fresh,…
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In Conversation – Ben Blais And Griffin Bellah, Dead Mom Play
Have you ever experienced a play that made you laugh and cry in equal measure? Dead Mom Play, a dark comedy about a young man confronting his mother’s death, has resonated with audiences and critics alike. With reviews highlighting its “funny and moving” nature (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) it’s a play that promises to stay in the mind for a long time. You are highly recommended to catch a performance at the Unity Theatre on Saturday…
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Review: The Merchant of Venice 1936 At The Playhouse Theatre
A single candle flickers, a fragile point of light against the encroaching darkness. Hebrew prayers, ancient and resonant, murmur through the air, a whisper of tradition in a world about to be torn apart. Then, the illusion shatters. This is not the gilded cage of Shakespeare’s Venice, but the grimy reality of London’s East End, 1936. This production of The Merchant of Venice, a bold and unsettling reimagining, is a theatrical time machine, transporting us…
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Review: OutHaus – Tenderfoot Theatre Company At Edge Hill University Arts Centre
OutHaus, a work-in-progress production by Tenderfoot Theatre Company, embodies a raw, exhilarating energy that belies its developmental status. This isn’t your typical tentative workshop performance, fraught with nervous glances and hesitant line deliveries. Instead, this 90-minute theatrical romp pulsates with a vibrant, infectious enthusiasm, grabbing the audience from the first moment and refusing to let go. It’s a testament to the company’s commitment to dynamic storytelling and a clear passion for the themes they explore.…
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Review: Woman | Women At The Shakespeare North Playhouse
The press release to Rowena Gander’s Woman | Women boldly promises it to be a show that challenges traditional, normative ideas of lesbian relationships through a mixture of physical theatre and comedy. A show that will take a deep dive into the themes of pace, compatibility, attachment and internalized homophobia, showcasing how these issues resonate differently across individuals. This is a labour of love for Ms Gander, the culmination of experience gained over many years…
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Review: 1984 At The Liverpool Playhouse
1984 by George Orwell is both a prophecy and a warning about totalitarianism, what it looks like and, through the main character, what it feels like when there is no freedom either to act or think and when the leader of The Party, Big Brother, decides what are facts and what is true. The power of the story is that every generation over the last 75 years has found something to relate about their own…
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New Stage Production of George Orwell’s 1984 Comes To Liverpool
To commemorate 75 years since the publication of George Orwell’s groundbreaking novel, this thrilling new stage adaptation, features Keith Allen and is directed by Lindsay Posner (3 Sisters on Hope Street, Everyman, 2008). 1984 is an iconic story of surveillance, oppression and forbidden love and is adapted for the stage by Ryan Craig (Charlotte and Theodore, Ustinov Studio; The Holy Rosenbergs and Our Class, National Theatre), who was nominated as Most Promising Playwright at the…
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Review: ‘Giselle’ At Liverpool Empire Theatre
Witnessing the English National Ballet’s revival of their 1971 Giselle was an experience to savour, one that elevated the standard for this beloved classic to new heights. The company executed each element to near perfection—Mary Skeaping’s renowned choreography and direction, the meticulous recreation of David Walker’s original set, the evocative lighting and costumes, and the orchestra’s powerful score under Gavin Sutherland’s expert direction. Together, these components coalesced into a afternoon matinee performance of extraordinary intensity…
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English National Ballet – Mary Skeaping’s Giselle Coming To Liverpool’s Empire Theatre
This Wednesday 23 October sees the start of a four performance run at the Liverpool Empire of English National Ballet’s acclaimed 1971 production of Giselle. The celebrated choregrapher and director Mary Skeatings interpretation of the 1841 standout of the classical ballet canon has garnered much praise for its artistic synthesis of peasant countryside life and the eternal forces of the supernatural. Giselle is a haunting story of innocence and betrayal – a timeless tale about…
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Woman | Women Theatre Show Takes Deep Dive Into Fast-Paced Nature of Lesbian Relationships
A new stage production is fusing performance art and physical theatre to explore how lesbian relationships do not follow traditional societal expectations. Woman | Women is a physical and comedic show that takes an academic deep dive into the fast-paced nature of same sex relationships between women. The autumn tour also features pre-show discussions on sexuality and creativity in an open conversation format. The show, which will tour Ormskirk, Liverpool, and Prescot this November, is the brainchild of…
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Review: ‘Birdsong’ At The Liverpool Playhouse
As familiar as most of us are with the word ‘war’, it still – rightly – has the power to shock. The terrible events unfolding across the world, daily beamed into our homes are tragic testimony to that and never should we become inured. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks’ best-selling epic romance set against the horrors of trench warfare in the First World War’s battlefields of France is now more than 30 years old and remains his…
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Review: ‘Girls Don’t Play Guitars’ At The Royal Court
“Girls, do play guitars! And bass. And drums.” This brilliant show proves it. Girls Don’t Play Guitars, which first played at the Royal Court in 2019, is based on the lives and careers of the relatively unknown four-piece female band, The Liverbirds, who were inspired to take on the boys during the pop boom of the early Sixties, not least because they were at its epicentre. In so doing, they became known in some quarters…
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‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ Plays Announced At Liverpool’s Royal Court
Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre has announced two new shows for 2025 with bookings now open. They are both football themed, but you definitely don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy them. One is the true story about a legendary figure in the history of Liverpool FC; the other is a very much not true story about an iconic Evertonian.The first is a world premiere of a drama that the whole theatre world has been…
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In Bloom: Dancer Brings Mesmerising Solo Show To Shakespeare North Playhouse
Connoisseurs of avant-garde dance and music are in for a treat next week. Celebrated Swiss-born Aline Costa, a performer and choreographer, presents her latest work In Bloom at Shakespeare North Playhouse. Following on from her past visceral work, such as Streets Of Apples and Woman Without, In Bloom features evocative imagery, compelling narratives, and dark humour, all of which transports the audience into an imaginatively bizarre world. In Bloom also features original music by Liverpool…
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Theatre Review: Twelfth Night at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Warrington’s theatre company, Not Too Tame, have provided the Prescot venue with a real marmite of a production. Some of you are going to love it, whilst others, not so. But what can’t be doubted is the level of commitment that the ensemble of the cast bring to their performance. The play’s setting shifts from Illyria to one of a musical industry setting, one which seems to dwindle in importance as the play progresses. But…
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Lovestruck: Immersive Theatre Show To Get Hearts Racing This Summer
“Ready for love? Well look no further! Lovestruck have been matching people like you for what feels like an eternity. Using their state of the art hypno-DNA technology, they’re certain you’ll meet someone you find drop-dead gorgeous!Lovestruck are coming to your area with an exclusive event to get hearts pumping, and brains fizzing. Boasting a 100% ‘perfect match’ success rate, they guarantee you’ll never go on another date again…” This summer, Paperwork Theatre presents Lovestruck, a multi-location…
Liverpool’s theatre scene is bold, brilliant and always evolving. From grand historic venues to intimate fringe spaces and cutting-edge performances, the city offers a rich and diverse mix of theatre that rivals anywhere in the UK.
At Liverpool Noise, our “Theatre in Liverpool” section is where you’ll find everything you need to stay in the loop — including show previews, reviews, artist interviews, and spotlight features on upcoming productions across the city.
Whether you're into musicals, new writing, political drama, experimental performance or family-friendly shows, we bring you behind the curtain and into the heart of Liverpool’s vibrant theatrical landscape.
A City of Stages: From Grand Theatres to Independent Spaces
Liverpool is home to some of the UK’s most iconic and historic theatre venues. Each offers its own unique experience — from red velvet glamour to stripped-back fringe stages.
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Liverpool Empire Theatre – The city’s largest theatre and a go-to for West End tours, big-budget musicals, dance spectaculars and family blockbusters.
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Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse – Two of the city's most beloved venues, known for championing new writing, regional voices and socially relevant theatre.
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Unity Theatre – A home for experimental and contemporary work, often platforming local talent, global issues and boundary-pushing performances.
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Royal Court Theatre – A favourite for sharp local comedies and shows with a Liverpool twist — often fun, fearless, and proudly Scouse.
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Hope Street Theatre, Capstone Theatre and Lantern Theatre – Smaller venues offering space for grassroots performance, student productions, spoken word, and fringe theatre.
Our coverage spans mainstream hits and independent gems, making this your go-to guide for theatre in Liverpool, no matter your taste or budget.
Theatre Reviews & Previews
Want to know if a new show is worth seeing? We regularly publish honest, insightful theatre reviews, giving you a real sense of what to expect before booking a ticket.
We also bring you previews of upcoming shows, so you can stay ahead of what’s on — from major tours to original plays debuting right here in Liverpool.
Our reviews cover:
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West End musicals and touring productions
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Contemporary plays and world premieres
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Fringe theatre and experimental performances
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Student-led and community theatre projects
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Seasonal shows (e.g. pantos, Christmas productions)
We aim to reflect the full breadth of Liverpool’s theatre output — from glittering curtain-raisers to raw, stripped-back monologues that leave you thinking for days.
Interviews & Behind the Scenes
Theatre is about people — writers, directors, actors, designers and communities. We spotlight the voices behind the scenes, interviewing creatives from across Liverpool’s theatre scene to uncover their inspirations, process, and the stories they’re telling.
Expect features with:
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Local playwrights debuting new work
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Cast and crew from major productions
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Emerging performers from Liverpool and the wider region
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Organisations and festivals shaping the future of theatre
These interviews and behind-the-scenes features add depth and context to the productions we cover, connecting you with the creative life of the city.
Theatre for Everyone
We believe theatre should be for everyone — and Liverpool’s inclusive, community-driven approach means there are shows and spaces welcoming to all.
From relaxed performances and accessible shows to LGBTQ+ stories, youth theatre, and socially conscious work, there’s something for every audience.
You’ll also find tips on:
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Budget-friendly tickets and pay-what-you-can shows
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Student offers and discounts
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Family-friendly performances
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Touring productions visiting Liverpool for one night only
Festivals & New Writing
Liverpool is a breeding ground for bold new voices in theatre. Our coverage also includes:
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Liverpool Theatre Festival and Fringe events that celebrate emerging work
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New writing showcases and script-in-hand performances
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One-off site-specific productions and festival collaborations
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Opportunities for creatives to get involved in the local theatre scene
We keep our ears to the ground so you don’t miss out on one-night-only performances, scratch nights, or pop-up events in unexpected places.
Why Explore Liverpool’s Theatre Scene with Liverpool Noise?
At Liverpool Noise, we celebrate the creative energy of the city — and theatre is at the heart of it. Whether you’re a seasoned theatregoer or seeing your first show, our theatre section helps you discover what’s on, what’s worth seeing, and who’s making it happen.
We regularly update this category with:
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Theatre reviews, previews, and highlights
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Interviews with Liverpool’s theatre-makers
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Show recommendations across genres and venues
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Listings for new writing, fringe and alternative theatre
Scroll through our latest theatre features below and discover the shows, stories and spaces that make Liverpool’s stage so exciting.