Audience numbers and revenues fall at Everyman and Playhouse theatres in Liverpool as charity that runs them says multi-million pound refurbishment of the Playhouse is ‘unlikely to begin for several years’. Tony McDonough reports

A multi-million pound project to transform the 160-year old Playhouse Theatre in Liverpool is to push ahead despite falling audiences and revenues.

However, the Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust (LMTT), a registered charity that operates both the Playhouse in Williamson Square and the Everyman Theatre in Hope Street, says work is “unlikely to begin for several years”.

LMTT has published its annual accounts for the 12 months to March 31, 2024. They reveal total income for the trading period was £5.29m, lower than the £6.2m reported to the previous year.

This included income from the Arts Council England (part of a £5.4m funding package for three years to March 2026) and from Liverpool City Council which totalled £2.18m for the year.

Income from the trading subsidiary, which operates bars events and the Street Cafe, totalled £529,000, down from £541,000 in the previous year. LMTT also receives funds from donors and learning partners.

Its deficit for the year was £856,000, higher than the £685,000 last year. Around £670,000 of this total can be attributed to the depreciation of its buildings. Despite the pressure on revenues a small operating surplus of just under £20,000 was carried forward.

LMTT continues to struggle with audience numbers post-COVID. In the last full year before the pandemic both theatres saw combined ticket sales of around 130,000. In the year to March 31, 2023, annual ticket sales had recovered to more than 112,000.

However, in the latest trading period this number has fallen to 97,527. There were high hopes for two large scale co-productions at the Playhouse – Richard III and Alice in Wonderland. Sales for both shows were disappointing.

“Post-COVID, drama audiences are still hard to predict and unfortunately neither of these titles achieved the audience numbers we hoped for which led to overall attendance being down for the year,” the annual report said.

On a brighter note both theatres did enjoy strong sales for the respective Christmas 2023 productions, The Woman in Black at the Playhouse and the Rock ’n’ Roll Panto at the Everyman. Across the year there were 362 performances and 80 events.

Describing 2023/24 as a “year of mixed fortunes” the annual report said energy prices, “stagnant public subsidy” and rising costs were the biggest pressures. It mitigated these challenges through “prudent forecasting and proactive risk management”.

In August 2024, LMTT unveiled more details about the refurbishment project for the Playhouse, which originally opened as a music hall in 1866.

It has partnered with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool Business Improvement District on the wider transformation of Williamson Square which itself dates back to 1745.

Speaking in August, LMTT’s recently appointed creative director, Nathan Powell, spoke about why the revamp of the Playhouse was such a critical undertaking.

“We are ready to take this much-loved Victorian gem and reimagine it as an accessible and sustainable theatre,” said Nathan. “Liverpool Playhouse is one of the oldest surviving working theatres in the UK.

“…Despite this rich history it remains underdeveloped and needs constant love and repair. Access for both front-of-house and back-of-house spaces are severely restricted, limiting opportunities for audiences and artists.

“In some parts of the theatre, sight lines are poor and legroom is tight while the heritage features are in much need of repair.”

Nathan explained the refurbishment would allow more productions from dance companies and investment in better acoustics would improve the audience experience for musicals.

More planning will take place in 2025. The annual report says: “While the actual work on the theatre is unlikely to begin for several years, we are progressing discussions with major funders and stakeholders to raise the substantial funds required to progress this essential work.”

READ MORE: Made Smarter secures £230,000 for Mersey SMEs

READ MORE: North Liverpool ‘New Town’ will see 10,000 homes

In December LMTT announced three new members joining its board of trustees with Amy Causley and Mike Clarke stepping down at the end of their respective terms.

They are playwright Saphena Aziz, director of inclusion and workforce development at Curious Minds. Paul Kallee-Grover, founder and managing director of Ki Partnerships, and Julie Ledder, head of HR operations at the University of Liverpool.