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.

  • Picnic at Hanging Rock Liverpool

    Review: Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Hope Street Theatre

    On August 9th and 10th, The Hope Street Theatre showcased Tom Wright’s poignant adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s seminal 1967 novel, Picnic at Hanging Rock. Set in the enchanting yet eerie confines of a small intimate theatre, this intimate production captivates audiences with not just a narrative of loss and intrigue but also offers a profound reflection on innocence and the unfathomable depths of the human experience. The grim yet beautiful tale, which revolves around the…

  • Riverdance 30 at Liverpool Empire Theatre

    Meet the Stars of Riverdance 30 Ahead of the Liverpool Empire Run

    Riverdance 30: The New Generation is set to open at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from 29 August to 2 September 2025. This special anniversary tour celebrates three decades of the iconic show that first took the world by storm with its explosive blend of traditional Irish music and dance.  This new production features innovative choreography, new costumes, and state-of-the-art lighting. A cast of new young performers bring fresh energy to the legacy whilst keeping the…

  • Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi (Tina) and Company. Credit: Johan Persson

    The Unsung Hero: Bree Smith on Preparing to Become Tina Turner

    As the iconic music and electrifying story of Tina Turner prepare to take the stage at Liverpool Empire this August, audiences are eagerly anticipating the powerhouse performances that bring the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll to life. But behind every sensational lead, there’s a vital force ensuring the show always goes on: the understudy. Today, we have the immense pleasure of sitting down with Bree Smith, the talented musical actress who stands ready to step…

  • Picnic at Hanging Rock Liverpool

    Preview: Picnic At Hanging Rock Comes To The Hope Street Theatre This August

    Beyond the Mystery: DizzyLovesLizzy Connects ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ to Empire’s Shadow… DizzyLovesLizzy, a young Liverpool-based theatre company, is set to bring Tom Wright’s adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock to the city, and it promises to be a thought- provoking experience. Adapted from Joan Lindsay’s 1967 novel, this production isn’t just a re-telling; it’s a re-examination of a story deeply embedded in Australian folklore, exploring themes of fear, dread, and girlhood in the vast…

  • Joe Cowin in I am Steven Gerard - Andrew AB

    I Am Steven Gerrard Kicks Off Autumn Season at The Epstein Theatre

    Critically acclaimed one-man play I Am Steven Gerrard is set to open the Epstein Theatre’s highly anticipated autumn season, running from Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 September. Written by Huyton-born playwright Sean McLoughlin and performed by rising star Joe Cowin, the bold and heartfelt production tells the story of Shane – a young man whose dream of becoming Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard spirals into a deeper exploration of identity, masculinity and the pressures of fitting…

  • A Grain of Sand - Credit - Alan Blundell Photography

    Review: A Grain of Sand At Unity Theatre

    When Storytelling Becomes Survival: Sarah Agha’s Shattering Tour-de-Force The air at Liverpool’s Unity Theatre hung heavy with anticipation on Friday, July 18th. A palpable hush fell over the sold out auditorium as the lights dimmed and Sarah Agha stepped into a single shaft of light. What followed was not simply a performance, but an emotional reckoning—an unrelenting immersion into the shattered world of Renad, an 11- year-old Palestinian girl, in Elias Matar’s harrowing one-woman show,…

  • OutHaus Show Liverpool Arts Bar Preview

    Preview: Tenderfoot Theatre’s ‘OutHaus’ At Liverpool Arts Bar

    Tenderfoot Theatre Presents OutHaus: A Wild Ride at Liverpool Arts Bar! Get ready for a seriously good time as Tenderfoot Theatre Company brings their fantastic OutHaus to Liverpool Arts Bar this Friday 18 July.  This theatrical experience bursts onto the stage with an amazing, high-energy vibe that pulls you right in from the very first moment and keeps you hooked. It’s clear that this company loves what they do, and that passion shines through every…

  • Sarah Agha Headshot

    Preview: ‘A Grain of Sand’ At Unity Theatre

    Giving Voice to Gaza: Sarah Agha on Her Powerful One-Woman Show Liverpool Noise’s Steve Kinrade had the privilege of chatting with the incredibly talented actress and writer, Sarah Agha, to discuss her poignant role in the one-woman play, A Grain of Sand, which is due to grace the stage of Liverpool’s Unity Theatre on Saturday 18 July, presented by Good Chance as part of the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival. Sarah, a London-based artist with a…

  • Liza Goddard in The Croft (photo credit Manuel Harlan)_2

    Review: The Croft At Liverpool Playhouse

    Stepping into the Liverpool Playhouse foyer, there’s an electricity in the air that perfectly mirrors the world of Ali Milles’ haunting drama. Set in a crumbling crofter’s hut on the remote Applecross peninsula, two friends, Laura and Suzanne, arrive seeking respite—only to be drawn into a web of grief, identity and unsettling echoes from the Highland Clearances. The production runs from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 July 2025, clocks in at 2 hours 5 minutes…

  • The Croft Play Comes To Liverpools Playhouse Theatre

    Theatre Preview: The Croft Brings Chilling Drama to Liverpool Playhouse

    Currently embarking on a highly anticipated UK tour, Original Theatre’s production of The Croft has already garnered significant critical attention since its 2020 premiere, being praised for its masterful blend of suspense, history, and the supernatural. It is set to run at the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th July. Set against the starkly beautiful yet haunting backdrop of the remote Scottish Highlands, The Croft transports audiences to a former crofter’s hut in…

  • Izzie Major 1

    ‘Intimate And Interactive’ Theatre Returns To The Adelphi In Follow-up To Surreal Sell-out Show

    Immersive theatre returns to one of Liverpool’s most famous hotels this summer with an audience experience that promises to be both ‘intimate and interactive’. The creative team behind The Bedroom which sold out its run at The Adelphi last year are heading back to the Edwardian city centre building for 2025 with follow-up show, The Living Room. Taking place in a ‘private, hidden room’ at The Adelphi, The Living Room is another unique site-specific piece of theatre brought to the city…

  • Workers Playtime - The Hope Street Theatre

    Review: Valley Community Theatre’s Workers Playtime At The Hope Street Theatre

    Agitprop Returns to the People’s Stage at Hope Street Theatre. Socialist theatre isn’t some dusty artefact locked away in a museum archive — it’s a vital, breathing part of Britain’s working-class heritage. Born of struggle, fired by solidarity, and carried by conviction, this form of theatre blazed onto the scene in the early 20th century with real purpose. Between the 1920s and the 1950s, the stage became a battleground. It wasn’t about velvet curtains and…

  • Workers Playtime How the Workers Theatre Movement Shaped British Theatre

    Workers Playtime: A Radical Legacy Reborn On Stage

    Exploring how Workers Playtime draws from the pioneering spirit of the 1930s theatre collectives to inspire new generations. Workers Playtime: How the Workers Theatre Movement Shaped British Theatre, running 6-8 June at Liverpool’s Hope Street Theatre, is far more than just another night out. It’s a powerful call back to the roots of working-class creativity, activism, and resilience. Brought to life by Valley Community Theatre—a company deeply embedded in Liverpool’s grassroots arts scene—this production aims…

  • Hamilton Photo Credit Danny Kaan

    From Runcorn to the Revolution: Bethany Kate on Life in Hamilton

    There’s something deeply special about coming home — and for Bethany Kate, a gifted musical theatre performer born in Liverpool and raised in Runcorn, stepping into Hamilton at the iconic Liverpool Empire is nothing short of magical. Now part of the blockbuster production as an off-stage swing, Bethany brings versatility, tenacity, and passion to one of the most demanding roles in musical theatre. Steve Kinrade caught up with her to talk about what it means…

  • Afloat Theatre Show Coming to Unity Theatre

    Review: Afloat At Unity Theatre

    When Theatre Becomes Testimony: Afloat Challenges, Moves, and Uplifts Tonight’s performance of Afloat at the Liverpool Unity Theatre was a powerful testament to the potential of theatre as both social commentary and communal catharsis. Devised by director Phoebe McSweeney through a series of workshops with asylum seekers and those working alongside them, Afloat is a moving, dystopian vision that holds a mirror up to contemporary Britain—one that dares to ask: what if we were the…

  • Afloat Theatre Show Coming to Unity Theatre

    Theatre As Testimony: Afloat Amplifies Voices Often Left Unheard

    Afloat is a powerful and urgent piece of theatre developed in collaboration with Asylum Link Merseyside and directed by Phoebe McSweeney. Created through workshops with asylum seekers and support workers, the performance offers a poignant exploration of migration, political extremism, and human resilience. Set in a dystopian fictional city, the narrative follows the strained relationship between Angela, a right-wing political candidate, and Sam, a community worker supporting asylum seekers. As the Blue Party gains power…

  • Picture You Dead Cast

    Ore Oduba Joins Star Cast of Peter James’ Picture You Dead, Coming to New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion

    The world premiere stage adaptation of Picture You Dead, the latest thriller from bestselling crime writer Peter James, is heading to New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion — and it’s just added a star name to its cast. TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba will join the major UK tour from 20 May, taking on the role of eccentric millionaire art collector Stuart Piper. The gripping new production is adapted from James’ bestselling Roy…

  • The Reader's summer programme for 2025 - free Garden Party in walled garden of Mansion House

    Packed Summer of Free Outdoor Arts, Music And Family Fun Coming To Calderstones Park

    Calderstones Park is set to become the cultural heart of Liverpool this summer, as The Reader unveils its most exciting summer programme yet — filled with garden parties, live music, literary legends, theatre under the stars, and magical family fun. Whether you’re planning a picnic, looking for creative ways to entertain the kids, or fancy joining a poetry walk with an ice cream in hand, there’s something for everyone in this joyful celebration of books,…

  • Something About Lennon - Daniel Taylor. Credit David Munn

    Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre Announces First Test Events Ahead of Re-Opening

    Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre will hold its first test event this month ahead of officially reopening its doors for a full autumn season of entertainment. Dancing in the Aisles, being staged on Easter Sunday, 20 April, will be the first production since the much-loved Hanover Street venue closed its doors in June 2023. The afternoon cabaret show will be a recurring slot at the Epstein, with the first show being hosted by popular Liverpool actor and comedian Lindzi…

  • Katherine Senior - Spitfire Girls

    In Conversation – Actress And Playwright, Katherine Senior

    During World War II, a group of women defied expectations, taking to the skies to ferry vital aircraft. Their extraordinary true stories, marked by courage, loss, and unwavering hope, form the heart of Spitfire Girls. This new play, a co-production by Tilted Wig and MAST Mayflower Productions, is currently touring the UK, landing at Shakespeare North Playhouse from April 23rd-26th, 2025. Liverpool Noise‘s Steve Kinrade sat down with actress and playwright Katherine Senior to delve…

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.

  • Liverpool Empire Theatre – The city’s largest theatre and a go-to for West End tours, big-budget musicals, dance spectaculars and family blockbusters.

  • Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse – Two of the city's most beloved venues, known for championing new writing, regional voices and socially relevant theatre.

  • Unity Theatre – A home for experimental and contemporary work, often platforming local talent, global issues and boundary-pushing performances.

  • Royal Court Theatre – A favourite for sharp local comedies and shows with a Liverpool twist — often fun, fearless, and proudly Scouse.

  • 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:

  • West End musicals and touring productions

  • Contemporary plays and world premieres

  • Fringe theatre and experimental performances

  • Student-led and community theatre projects

  • 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:

  • Local playwrights debuting new work

  • Cast and crew from major productions

  • Emerging performers from Liverpool and the wider region

  • 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:

  • Budget-friendly tickets and pay-what-you-can shows

  • Student offers and discounts

  • Family-friendly performances

  • 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:

  • Liverpool Theatre Festival and Fringe events that celebrate emerging work

  • New writing showcases and script-in-hand performances

  • One-off site-specific productions and festival collaborations

  • 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:

  • Theatre reviews, previews, and highlights

  • Interviews with Liverpool’s theatre-makers

  • Show recommendations across genres and venues

  • 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.