Liverpool Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Discover the birthplace of British theatrical talent at Liverpool Playhouse Theatre, the oldest repertory theatre in England. Originally built in 1866 as the Star Music Hall and transformed into a repertory theatre in 1911 under visionary controller Basil Dean, this Grade II listed building on Williamson Square has launched countless legendary careers. The theatre company couldn't afford to build new, so they purchased the Star Theatre for £28,000, making it the first repertory theatre in Britain to own its building freehold, a bold investment that paid off spectacularly. Sir Ian McKellen, Robert Donat, Michael Redgrave, Rachel Kempson, John Thaw, and Anthony Hopkins all performed here early in their careers, honing their craft on this intimate Victorian stage. The period theatrical architecture preserves the intimacy and character that made the venue special for generations of actors and audiences. After 1999, joint management with the Everyman Theatre by Liverpool City Council transformed it into a charity operation dedicated to bringing quality theatre to the community. With Questo, you can explore the legends who graced this stage and discover why this venue remains essential to Liverpool's cultural landscape.