Two years after the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool apparently closed for good, it was revealed on Friday the venue will reopen this year. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre will reopen in 2025 two years after it had apparently closed its doors permanently.
In a Facebook post on Friday the 380-seat Hanover Street venue’s general manager, Anthony Proctor-Williams, confirmed it would welcome back audiences later this year. He said: “The cat is out of the bag.”
In June 2023 it was announced the theatre would close for good after operator Epstein Entertainments said it had been unable to secure financial support from Liverpool City Council.
But Anthony confirmed on Friday: “I am delighted to share that I have returned to the Epstein Theatre as general manager and theatre director.
“We can’t wait to give you more information. Right now we are busy getting the theatre ready to welcome back Liverpool’s amazing community of artists and audiences.
“We are refitting the stage with new lighting, stage cloths and sound. We are also improving the backstage areas, whilst in front of house we have refitted the bar, which is looking absolutely beautiful.
Originally opened as Crane’s Music Hall in 1913, the Epstein in Hanover Street was later known as the Neptune Theatre. In the late 1990s the 380-seat venue was renamed in honour of the former manager of The Beatles, the late Brian Epstein.
It has been threatened with closure several times over the years. In May 2011 it reopened following a £1.2m refurbishment. Epstein Entertainments was awarded the contract to operate the Epstein Theatre on behalf of Liverpool City Council in October 2018.
The council leased the building to a commercial property landlord and then subleased the Epstein Theatre back from them.
Since the 1960s, the council has always financially supported and subsidised the theatre. Currently this figure is an excess of £100,000 per year. However, given the council’s own precarious financial position this was no longer possible.
Epstein Entertainments had asked the council to continue its support for the theatre at £50,000 a year for the next five years. But this request was turned down.
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Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the council’s cabinet member for culture, Cllr Harry Doyle, said: “Really exciting news for the city as the Epstein Theatre announces its re-opening. It was lovely to meet last week with returning theatre manager, Anthony Proctor-Williams.
“He’s so passionate about the Epstein. Looking forward to working with him to help promote this cultural asset.”