Liverpool’s newest theatrical space, the Hope Street Theatre, reopens its doors next month after an 18-month pandemic break.
Close to the city’s metropolitan cathedral and opposite the Everyman Theatre, Hope Street Theatre is Liverpool’s newest theatrical venue, situated in a grade II-listed former masonic hall. A Cultural Recovery Fund grant secured the theatre’s immediate future and has enabled work begun in the building’s opening year to continue with the venue's autumn/winter season, from October 5.
The programme includes a two-week run of The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! (Nov 16-27), directed by West-End performer and director Sharon Byatt, which parodies five separate musical theatre composers in five mini-musicals.
Also helping to launch the new season is a new pantomime, Sleeping Beauty (Dec 16-30) from local producers Just Entertainment, starring Liverpool Live Radio’s breakfast show host Aaron Hayes as Dame Dolly, and a cast of mainly young performers.
Launching the opening season is Scriptshop’s latest showcase of new writing, Leaving (October 5-6), followed by long-running Beatles-themed theatrical festival Ticket To Write (Oct 8-9). The season also features Liverpool favourites Naughty Corner’s latest production Sheep (Oct 14-16); theatre company Matter of Act’s one-man show Rossiter (Nov 4-6) about the city's masterful comic actor Leonard Rossiter; Mike Howl’s play This Girl (Nov 8-14), about Cynthia Lennon – making its return following a sell-out pre-pandemic run, and Wirral-based Off The Ground theatre company’s latest comedy drama The Drunks (Dec 2-4).
Theatre general manager Sam Donovan said: “We are excited to be able to finally reopen our doors. The Hope Street Theatre is all about celebrating the wealth of talent on offer in the region from youth theatre, community companies and professional productions, and we believe that this re-opening season shouts that.”
Season and ticket info here, or on 0344 561 0622.