Tonight our city leads. All you who care
For her fair fame in England keep it fair,
Make this foundation firm, work till it be
Part of her praise on men’s lips over sea
That when they name her they will say of her,
‘Famous for ships and this her theatre’
A Poem for the Opening by John Masefield
On 11 November 1911, a small group of passionate believers established the Liverpool Repertory Company – one of England’s very first ‘reps’ – in what was then the Star Music Hall. In 1917, as a statement of theatrical intent, the building was renamed the Liverpool Playhouse. In 2011 the spirit that underpinned those original pioneers who sought to create high-quality, home-produced theatre in Liverpool is very much alive and well.
Throughout its life the Playhouse has fostered some of the country’s finest acting talent – including Robert Donat, Michael Redgrave, Rachel Kempson, John Thaw, Anthony Hopkins, Patricia Routledge, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and many, many more – and the rich variety of the Images from left to right, top to bottom: The Star Music Hall, Alison Steadman, Anthony Hopkins, Bill Gaunt, Corin Redgrave, Ian McKellen, John Thaw, Ken Dodd, Kim Cattrall, Patrick Stewart, Stephanie Lawrence repertory programme formed many generations of committed theatregoers.
The creative crucible of the Playhouse Studio brought many new writing and acting talents into the light for the first time, and the main stage has propelled numerous productions out onto the national and international stage.
celebrating the Centenary of the Liverpool Repertory Company
This important landmark in the theatre's history was marked with a series of events leading up to the anniversary on 11 November 2011.
Centenary Countdown - online from 3 August 2011
From 100 days before the birthday we counted down to the big day with a series of interesting facts and details from the theatre's past on our website homepage daily.
Reopening of the Playhouse Studio - 20 October 2011
The Playhouse Studio originally opened 20 October 1969 and soon became a compact crucible for new talent, new writing and utterly daring work. In recent years it has been the rehearsal room for Everyman and Playhouse productions. As a 100th birthday present we reopened the Studio with The Swallowing Dark - a new play by Lizzie Nunnery.
Foyer Exhibition - 1 - 30 November
Explore the foyer spaces of the theatre and discover more about its great history through an exhibition charting the last 100 years. There will be an opportunity to share your own stories and memories of the Playhouse too.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PLAYHOUSE
A whole day of events ending with a gala evening performance of The Ladykillers.
Liverpool Playhouse - A Theatre and Its City
by Ros Merkin (Liverpool University Press, 2011)
A new book compiled by Ros Merkin celebrates 100 years with contributions and stories from those who have been part of the extraordinary journey of the Playhouse.
We have a limited number of hardback copies at the special rate of £20 (rrp £25). Buy Online.