Liverpool Empire Theatre

Liverpool Empire Theatre
Liverpool Empire Theatre
Location in Merseyside
General information
Type	Theatre
Architectural style	Neoclassical
Address	Lime Street
Town or city	Liverpool
Country	England
Coordinates	53°24′32″N 2°58′41″W / 53.4089°N 2.9781°W / 53.4089; -2.9781Coordinates: 53°24′32″N 2°58′41″W / 53.4089°N 2.9781°W / 53.4089; -2.9781
Groundbreaking	1924
Completed	1925
Opened	9 March 1925
Renovated	1977, 1999
Client	Moss Empires
Owner	Ambassador Theatre Group
Technical details
Structural system	Steel frame
Design and construction
Architecture firm	W. and T. R. Milburn
Other information
Seating capacity	2,348
Website
Liverpool Empire Theatre website at Ambassador Theatre Group

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Liverpool Empire Theatre is a theatre located on the corner of Lime Street and London Road in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. The theatre is the second to be built on the site, and was opened in 1925. It has the largest two-tier auditorium in Britain and can seat 2,348 people. During its time it has hosted many types of entertainment, including variety shows, musicals, operas, pop concerts, and plays. The Beatles appeared in the theatre in their early days. The theatre has hosted two Royal Command Performances and in 2007, a Royal Variety Performance to mark Liverpool's being designated a European City of Culture the following year. It is sited in the William Brown Street Conservation Area.

The first theatre on the site opened on 15 October 1866 and was named the "New Prince of Wales Theatre and Opera House". It was at that time Liverpool's largest theatre. On 29 July 1867 its name was changed to the "Royal Alexandra Theatre and Opera House" in honour of Princess Alexandra, Princess of Wales. The theatre closed in 1894, but was re-opened the following year under the ownership of Empire Theatre (Liverpool) Ltd. In 1896 the theatre was sold to Messrs. Moss and Thornton for £30,000 (equivalent to £3,130,000 in 2015), and renamed "The Empire". This theatre closed on 16 February 1924, and it was demolished.

It was replaced by the present larger theatre, which opened on 9 March 1925. In 1977 the theatre was still owned by Moss Empires, who were making plans to dispose of it. Two years later it was acquired by Merseyside County Council. During the following two years a total of £680,000 was spent on improving the back stage facilities, and extending the stage and orchestra pit. The theatre underwent a further major refurbishment in 1999; this included increasing the size of the stage and improving the facilities for the audience. By 2002 the theatre was owned by Clear Channel Entertainment. In that year an extension was built on the north side of the building.