Transform the Playhouse - Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres

For 160 years, the Liverpool Playhouse has sparked the city’s imagination.

Since opening as The Star in 1866, it’s been a cultural landmark and is the Northwest’s oldest working theatre. Now, this Grade II* listed icon is ready for its next act. Our vision is to transform this Victorian gem into an accessible, sustainable space that revitalises Williamson Square and welcomes audiences and artists long into the future.

Hear from Nathan Powell, our Creative Director about the plans

A renewed Playhouse will fuel local pride, create jobs, and strengthen Liverpool’s visitor economy, while continuing to be a place where unforgettable stories unfold.

How the Transformation Will Make a Difference

It will help bring the city centre back to life.

The renewed Playhouse will anchor the wider regeneration of Williamson Square, creating a more vibrant, welcoming place and strengthening Liverpool’s role as a home for the creative industries.

It will give audiences a far better experience.

From a spacious, accessible entrance to improved sightlines, wider seats, better acoustics, new social spaces and easier movement around the building, the Playhouse will finally offer the comfort and welcome people expect.

It will celebrate and protect a historic treasure.

Restoring the original entrance, side boxes and decorative features—including the iconic star‑tiled foyer—will honour the building’s heritage while making it shine for a new generation.

It will open the door to a richer, more diverse programme.

A re‑cast stage, improved acoustics, better backstage access and a flexible second space will allow the Playhouse to host more dance, musicals, new writing and visiting companies than ever before.

It will set new standards for sustainable theatre‑making.

With regenerative design, solar power, green roofs, LED lighting and high‑performance glazing, the Playhouse will work towards zero emissions and become one of the world’s most sustainable theatres.

“The next act of the Liverpool Playhouse honours its past while boldly embracing the future ahead, ensuring that this beloved building remains a place where the city gathers, dreams, and creates.”

Nathan Powell, Creative Director

OUR PLANS

We’re now in a strong position to bring the next act of the Playhouse to life. Building on the success of the Stirling Prize‑winning Everyman redevelopment, we’ve completed detailed designs with architects Haworth Tompkins and partnered with the University of Liverpool’s Zero Carbon Institute to ensure sustainability is built in from the start. We’re working closely with the Liverpool BID Company to align our plans with the wider transformation of Williamson Square, creating a more vibrant civic space for everyone. Positive conversations with Liverpool City Council, the Combined Authority, DCMS, Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund are helping shape the project, while ongoing engagement with community partners, backstage tours and audience research ensure that people across the city can influence the future of their Playhouse.

Feasibility sketch external night, by Haworth Tompkins

Your chance to help shape the next act

There are many ways you can help. You can support us by buying tickets, joining a backstage heritage tour, donating to our work, following our socials or writing to your local Councillor or MP about the project’s importance. And if you or your business can offer further support, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can secure a vibrant future for this landmark theatre.

donate@everymanplayhouse.com

“The Playhouse has always belonged to the people of Liverpool, and this next act is our moment to secure its future for generations to come. We’ve built a robust, future focused plan—now we’re calling on government and business leaders to join us in realising it, ensuring this landmark continues to drive cultural, economic and social value for decades to come.”

Camilla Mankabady, Chair