Liverpool’s primary venue for touring productions of musicals, the Liverpool Empire Theatre is also one of the largest venues in Liverpool city centre, seating almost 2,500 visitors, and is situated in Liverpool’s great neoclassical area of the city centre.
The Empire’s stock-in-trade may be touring productions of West End musicals – think Blood Brothers, Sister, Act, Chicago et al – but also features ballet, opera and big-hitting comedy performances. Even Morrissey. The Empire also has a youth theatre, which frequently performs on the Empire’s huge stage.
A fearsome history of variety performances means the Liverpool Empire Theatre has hosted such names as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Noel Coward, Laurel & Hardy and The Beatles.
Another grandiose post-Edwardian venue, the Empire was refurbished at the start of the 21st century, gaining an additional wing on the site of the famous Legs of Mann corner pub, improving facilities and access. The Liverpool Empire Theatre also offer s a musical theatre school – the Liverpool Academy of Musical Theatre.
The Empire building is considered to be architecturally significant and is a Grade II-listed building. Occasional tours available on Liverpool ‘Light Nights’ if you book quickly enough.
The theatre has its own restaurant – the Lime Street Bistro – offering two courses for £13. If you fancy a pre- of post-theatre pint try Ma Egerton’s, situated behind the theatre. The Liverpool Empire Theatre has long been a hang-out for actors and luvvies and its walls are decorated with photos of some of the genre’s brightest and best, who have patronised the cosy pub over the years.
Visiting the Liverpool Empire Theatre
The Empire is next door to Liverpool Lime Street train station for Wirral Line and national services, and around a ten-minute walk from Liverpool Central on the Northern Line. It’s also a short walk from Queen Square Bus Station and there’s a taxi rank close by.
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