Liverpool Playhouse began life as the Star Music Hall in 1866, and was converted to its current configuration in 1911 on the formation of the Liverpool Repertory Company, one of the first and soon one of the most prestigious reps in the country. The Everyman was established in 1964 in what had originally been built as a chapel in 1834. Also a rep company, the Everyman had a less formal, younger and more politicised ethos than the Playhouse, and it went on to create pioneering socially-engaged drama, to inspire generations of young theatregoers, and to launch the careers of a prodigious range of writers and performers. In parallel with Liverpool’s rollercoaster fortunes, the theatres suffered badly from financial and other difficulties in the latter years of the 20th century, and ten years ago their survival seemed far from guaranteed.

Then in 1999, the Everyman and the Playhouse were joined together under a single management: a new organisation created for the new century, to take the city’s producing theatre forward.

Since then, the theatres have been on a remarkable journey, described as “a theatrical renaissance on Merseyside” (The Observer). In 2004, with the arrival of Artistic Director, Gemma Bodinetz, and Executive Director, Deborah Aydon, an integrated programme across the two buildings was created, that has generated critical acclaim and audience growth, and been the springboard for forward-looking programmes of artist development and youth and community engagement. In less than five years the theatres have produced 20 world premières (the majority by Liverpool writers); audiences have grown by 47%; over 90,000 school and college students have participated in our work, and each year we have worked closely with over 10,000 people who had never been involved with theatre before.

Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture 2008 was a successful and vitally important stage on the theatres’ journey, marking the end of the first cycle of development since the Everyman and Playhouse came together. Most importantly, it marked the beginning of a new cycle for the theatres and for the city.

Below are details of different ways that you may like to become more closely involved by our work, as we move into an exciting future.

Capital Redevelopment

"The redevelopment of the Everyman theatre will provide a fitting legacy for European Capital of Culture 2008 - one that will continue to grow and develop new audiences, new work, and create the right conditions by which great art can happen."
Aileen McEvoy, Executive Director, Arts Council England, North West

The next chapter in the story of the theatres will be a major capital development which will equip the Everyman and the Playhouse fully for the 21st century. In July 2009 Arts Council England announced a £12.8m investment in the £28m redevelopment of the Everyman. This substantial investment enables us to forge ahead with plans for a new building which will serve and inspire its community and future generations of artists and theatregoers.

We are now working with our project team and architects Haworth Tompkins towards the detailed design and planning which will allow work to begin on site in the spring of 2011 and the new, 21st-century Everyman to open in 2013. To register for updates on our plans and progress, email feedback@everymanplayhouse.com with the subject line 'Capital'.

New Plays and New Artists

"All writers need inspiration as well as a sense of community. The Everyman's annual festival of new writing offers both."
The Guardian

We passionately believe in supporting writers at every career stage, and every year we commission new plays; provide writers with advice, workshops, masterclasses and opportunities to work with other innovative practitioners; run an acclaimed Young Writers’ Programme; offer writers’ residencies, and open up the playwriting process to all through our annual Everyword festival. To find out more contact our Literary Department on 0151 708 3700 or at literary@everymanplayhouse.com.

Education, Community and Young People

"It was excellent. Bring more plays to the community. They deserved a standing ovation!”"
Pupil from Alsop High School, Walton, about community tour performance of new play Billy Wonderful, which reached 3,000 young people in community venues and schools across Merseyside before achieving four-star national acclaim at the Everyman.

Our Theatre and Community Department offers creative opportunities for all, regardless of age, background or experience. These include community tours; artistic projects in the neighbourhoods of Liverpool; the INCLUDED outreach programme; Afterwords post-show discussions; an over-50’s Play Group; regular open-access page-to-stage sessions; Community and Drama Teachers forums; and our developing Youth Theatre and Youth Forum.

If you’d like to get involved, contact our Theatre and Community Department on 0151 708 3700 or at community@everymanplayhouse.com

Beyond the City

Recent years have seen us repeatedly collaborate with partners beyond Liverpool and the UK, taking our work to new audiences and putting Liverpool theatres firmly on the cultural map.

In 2008 alone, four of our productions were seen outside the city. King Lear, 3 Sisters on Hope Street and Tartuffe all went into London, while our Christmas co-production of West-End and Broadway hit revival Boeing-Boeing had its UK regional première in Liverpool before embarking on a national tour.

Again in 2009, many Everyman and Playhouse productions and co-productions travelled beyond Liverpool – The Price to When Nottingham, We Are Married opened in Leeds, The Caretaker to Bath and The Hypochondriac and Kes to a combined total of 15 venues on their national tours. Next season The Caretaker will open in the West End in January, and each of the Playhouse's co-productions – Ghost Stories and Canary will move on after their Liverpool premières.