By Francesca-Lily McIntosh
Jump back into live theatre in 2022 with this useful guide to get you started. Here are six shows that Liverpool has to offer this year, ranging from family productions to comedy shows and historical adventures – there really is something for everyone!
Liverpool Empire Theatre
With its central location on Lime Street, the Liverpool Empire Theatre now stands as the largest two-tier auditorium in the UK, seating 2,348 people. Now full of life once again, here are just two of the many shows Liverpool Empire has to offer in 2022.
Jersey Boys
Wednesday 26th January – Saturday 5th February 2022
The award-winning musical Jersey Boys returns to the Liverpool Empire to kickstart 2022. Based on the story of the 1960s rock band The Four Seasons, Jersey Boys features all of their popular hits along with an insight of how Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons came to be.
Tickets start from £13.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Tuesday 22nd – Saturday 26th February 2022
Be one of the first to see this brand-new stage musical, rumoured to transport you into a world of fantasy and magic. Adapted from one of Disney’s classic movies of the same name, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a family-friendly show that follows three orphaned children and their journey after discovering witchcraft and magic.
Tickets start from £13.
Everyman and Playhouse Theatre
Liverpool’s Everyman and Playhouse theatres came together in 2004 under the same management and alongside theatre productions, the theatres create endless opportunities for young people aged 14-25 with their award-winning Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) programme. Here are two showings suitable for an older audience at the Everyman and the Playhouse.
Cherry Jezebel
Tuesday 8th – Saturday 26th March 2022
Enter the world of drag artist Cherry Brandy, her best friend Heidi, and their queer family in this new drama at the Everyman. This story is said to celebrate queerness whilst exploring the struggles of growing up queer in Liverpool and building a place of safety and belonging.
Tickets start from £10, suitable for age 16+
Sheila’s Island
Tuesday 5th – Saturday 9th April 2022
Described as ‘the Office meets Lord of the Flies meets Miranda’, Sheila’s Island is a new comedy at the Playhouse. It follows the characters of Sheila, Denise, Julie and Faye and their disastrous team-building weekend, with Sheila stranding the team on a Lake District Island.
Tickets start from £10, suitable for age 13+
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court theatre is also located in central Liverpool and promises a great night out with a pre-show cabaret style dining experience. Not only does the Royal Court produce eight long running shows a year but it plays its part in the community, offering free acting classes for all abilities; the Royal Court Youth Theatre and a community choir which anyone can take part in.
Offered Up
Wednesday 22nd June – Saturday 9th July 2022
Fancy a historical adventure? Showing at Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio, Offered Up is an exciting thriller set in 1645 during the English Civil War. It follows an innkeeper and his daughter’s struggles during the war and their additional problems brought to them by guests.
Tickets start from £10.
YNWA: Let’s Talk About Six…Baby
Friday 29th July – Saturday 27th August 2022
Finally, for the football fans of Liverpool, YNWA is a show that dives into the history of Liverpool Football Club. Celebrating Liverpool’s sixth UEFA Champion’s League trophy, YWNA has been said to be the ‘ultimate show for Liverpool fans’ as it brings 125 years of football history to life.
Tickets start from £14.
To discover more theatre shows and much more visit our What’s on section.