Epstein Theatre

The Epstein Theatre stands in central Liverpool on Hanover Street, a Grade II listed building that first opened in 1913 as Crane’s Music Hall. It sits above the former music shop run by the Crane Brothers and later became the Crane Theatre in 1938. In 1968 the venue reopened as the Neptune Theatre after a £7,000 refurbishment that added Brian’s Bar and a new stage. The theatre was renamed again in 2011 to honour Brian Epstein, who once performed there as a child. A portrait of Epstein by local artist Tony Brown now hangs in the bar. The building has survived four closures and reopenings over more than a century. The theatre has played a key role in Liverpool’s cultural life, hosting amateur drama groups, professional pantomimes and Gilbert and Sullivan productions. Dame Judi Dench joined a campaign in 1993 to keep it open, and annual pantomimes have drawn large audiences. It has also served as a film and television location, including a BBC special starring Steve Coogan. The 2011 refurbishment cost £1.2 million and restored the interior for modern use. Despite its resilience, funding decisions have repeatedly threatened its survival. Inside, visitors find the restored auditorium with its ornate interior often used on screen. Brian’s Bar occupies the front-of-house space created in 1968, while the stage rebuilt that year remains in use. Hanover House next door houses the lift installed in 1967, giving access to the stalls. The Epstein continues to stage pantomimes and charity events when open, keeping its place in the city’s arts scene. Its walls carry the marks of generations of performers and patrons who have shaped its history.