Everyman Theatre

The Everyman Theatre stands at the north end of Hope Street in Liverpool, a city known for its artistic energy. It occupies the site of Hope Hall, a former dissenters’ chapel built in 1837 that later became a cinema before being converted into a theatre in 1964. The building’s history reflects Liverpool’s cultural shifts, from religious use to a hub for local artists like Arthur Dooley, Roger McGough and Adrian Henri. In the 1970s and 1980s it became a stage for new plays by writers such as Willy Russell and Alan Bleasdale. The theatre closed in 2011 for a complete rebuild and reopened in 2014, winning the Stirling Prize for its architecture. The Everyman has long been a place where new voices are heard and careers begin. It gave early opportunities to performers including Dame Julie Walters, Jonathan Pryce and Bill Nighy, as well as playwrights whose works premiered there. Productions ranged from musicals and concerts to an annual rock-and-roll pantomime. Managed alongside Liverpool Playhouse since 2004, it operates as part of Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust. The building’s past is visible in salvaged elements from Hope Hall, preserved within the new design. Inside, the theatre offers a modern auditorium with a café at street level and event space in the basement. The street outside remains a lively cultural quarter, linking the theatre to other venues and the city’s bohemian atmosphere. The rebuilt Everyman keeps the spirit of its earlier years while providing a contemporary setting for performance and gathering.