Liverpool City Centre Accommodation

Liverpool Empire on Lime Street dating from 1925

Liverpool Theatres Cinemas Empire Playhouse Royal Court Everyman Unity Theatres Liverpool

Liverpool has a long history for cutting edge drama that makes you think again, and this legacy continues on at the Liverpool Playhouse, the Everyman Theatre and the Liverpool Unity Theatre. You'll find plenty of homegrown Liverpool innovative playwriting talent in these venues. For lavish musicals and big show productions Liverpool's Empire Theatre is where to head. For Liverpool's home of comedy checkout the Rawhide comedy nights and new venue the Prohibition Bar/Grill on Bold Street. Liverpool's Olympia Ballroom theatre plays host to an eclectic mix of events, shows and plenty of wrestling nights.

Liverpool's main centre for independent world cinema is FACT - Foundation for Art and Creative Technology. Here sits Liverpool's Picturehouse Cinema with its three screens alongside media arts galleries where you'll see the latest emerging forms of creativity in media art.

Liverpool Theatres

Liverpool is an outstanding city for theatre choice from glitzy big musical productions to cutting edge drama with a political kick usually homegrown. The historic Liverpool Empire Theatre, now a top spot for huge entertainment shows including nationally acclaimed musicals, sits just near Lime Street Station within the city's cultural quarter hub. The current building, with modern add ons, dates from 1925, but there was a theatre on this site as far back as 1866, originally called The Prince of Wales Theatre and Opera House. Changing consistently with the times, both the old theatre and current building have seen some big names including Marie Lloyd, Sybil Thorndike, Julie Andrews, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. If you're a lover of musicals, the Empire's programme won't disappoint. An eclectic mix of musicals, comedy, concerts and musical entertainment nights are on offer here.

The Liverpool Playhouse on Williamson Square just off Whitechapel started live in 1866 as the Star Music Hall and by 1911 was a full repertory theatre company - the oldest Rep in the country. For drama, the history of this Liverpool Theatre dazzles. It was here that Noel Coward first began working with Gertrude Lawrence and the Playhouse has kickstarted numerous legends of drama including Anthony Hopkins, Michael Redgrave and John Thaw. More recently in the 20th century the creative Gang of Four - Alan Bleasdale, Chris Bond, Bill Morrison and Willy Russell featured at the Playhouse. Today this Liverpool Theatre remains home to the best of classic drama. The Playhouse's more intimate sister is Liverpool's Everyman Theatre on Hope Street in the city's bohemian quarter. Founded more recently in the mid 1960s, The Everyman has always played host to ground breaking modern drama. More dazzling talent has emerged from here including Julie Walters, Antony Sher and the Gang of Four. New plays by emerging Liverpool playwrights feature heavily at the Everyman alongside performances of for example Beckett Plays.

The ornate Liverpool Olympia located just north of the city centre on West Derby Road was originally The Locarno, a striking ballroom modelled on the Moscow Kirov Ballet. Today the Olympia is one of Liverpool's most popular entertainment venues, hosting a mix of events, concerts, wrestling, club nights, comedy and fashion shows. Located not far from the football grounds, the Olympia often plays host to football related shows and events. In recent times the one man Shankly Show has understandably proved incredibly popular. Checkout the Olympia's programme of events via the website and book etickets online.

For the best of comedy performance and comic plays, Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre on Roe Street is where to head. The famous Rawhide - Liverpool's Home of Comedy is connected to the Royal Court, hosting comedy evenings at its Bold Street Prohibition Bar/Grill venue. The Royal Court also serves as key hub venue for the city's annual Comedy Festival end of May into June. (see the Comedy Festival's webguide right for details). Liverpool's Unity Theatre ranks as the city's most relaxing and laidback venue - host to innovative hard hitting drama usually with a comedy twist and a local Liverpool focus. Fringe at its best - checkout Unity's webguide programme and Nige's Guide to Capital of Culture - Part 2 showing in 2008.

Liverpool Theatres Booking Shows

Liverpool Empire, Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JE. Bookings Tel. 0844 847 2525, 24hrs a day. Alternatively book direct online via the Empire's weblink right.

Liverpool Playhouse Box Office, Williamson Square, Liverpool, L1 1EL. Tel Booking 0151 709 4776, or book online via the Playhouse & Everyman Theatre website. Box Office, open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and until 8pm on performance nights. Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, 13 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BH. Tel. Administration. 0151 708 3700.

Liverpool Olympia, West Derby Road, Liverpool. L6 9BY. Tel. 0151 263 6633. Unity Theatre Liverpool, 1 Hope Place, Liverrpool L1 9BG. Ticket office Tel. 0151 709 4988.

Royal Court Liverpool, 1 Roe Street, Liverpool L1 1HL. Tel Ticket Hotline 0870 787 1866. Pre-booking for Friday and Saturday night shows is recommended!

FACT Cinema & Media Galleries Liverpool

FACT is Liverpool's centre for film and commissioned presentations of film, video and new media art forms. On-site are two galleries and the Picturehouse Liverpool, mecca for independent best cinema from around the world. The Picturehouse boasts three state of the art screens. (see FACT's webguide right for what's on and explore some of the centre's web based arts projects.).

The centre hosts exhibits by both international artists and projects by local communities. Artists featured in the past have included Mark Wallinger, Tony Oursler and Isaac Julien. A champion of new emerging art forms, FACT is truly a unique venue and not to be missed.

The popular on-site Cafe Bar is renowned for its fine selection of teas, coffees and pastries.

FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ. Telephone General Enquiries: 0151 707 4450. Bookings Tel. 08717 042063.

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