Unity Theatre are proud to introduce ‘A Radical Reimagining’ – a new and exciting multi-faceted heritage project, celebrating the building’s incredibly unique history and the importance of radical theatre in Liverpool’s vibrant and ever-growing cultural fabric.
Lovingly conceived by Unity’s Artistic Director Eli Randle when she first took the post in March 2024, ‘A Radical Reimagining’ is coming to life this May & June as an official National Lottery Heritage Fund project. Exploring over 200 boxes of archives dating back to the 1930s, audiences can look forward to a series of events – spanning theatre, art, live music, performances and workshops – culminating in Unity’s very own production STAGE LEFT, which tells the story of the theatre’s bold and rebellious past.
Celebrating nearly 100 years of political and grassroots theatre, Unity Theatre has firmly established itself as the beating heart of Liverpool’s thriving radical theatre community. Unity’s Heritage Project truly represents how the arts is a vital force for social change, offering a rare opportunity to explore the building’s rich and storied history.
Eli Randle, Artistic Director of Unity Theatre: “I was thinking about what Unity stood for, why it exists and how none of its rich history isn’t present in our building or archived, and so decided to create this project which looks at that past and also to the future through new work with young people. The heritage is a testament to the role of the arts in fostering social awareness and political dialogue and it is a privilege to be able to explore this through the project”
The Origins of Unity Theatre…
Unity Theatre was established in the 1930s – originally as Merseyside Left Theatre – when workers’ movements and political unrest was prevalent across the UK. In 1944, the theatre group then joined forces with The Unity Theatre movement – a national theatrical initiative that produced politically left-wing works by and for working class audiences.
Throughout the 1940s, 50s & 60s, Unity were audaciously radical and experimental, staging politically and socially conscious contemporary works that challenged conventional theatre and addressed themes of workers’ rights, fascism, capitalism and wider issues of inequality. Productions were also often held in unconventional locations such as street corners, pubs and community halls, offering an outlet for working-class people to discuss the issues they were facing in society.
Today, Unity Theatre is the only surviving member of that movement, and the organisation continue its mission with the same sentiment dating back to the 1930s – investing in local work, emerging artists and theatre companies – and producing high-quality radical and groundbreaking theatre.
The History of Hope Place…
The Unity Theatre was originally built in 1857 as Liverpool’s first ever synagogue for the New Hebrew Congregation, later becoming Hope Place Synagogue in 1937 and operating until 1962. As the Jewish community relocated to other parts of the city, the synagogue was eventually vacated and by the late 20th century, the space was transformed into a theatre – continuing its legacy as a place for community, discussion, and social change.
At a time when the world faces increasing uncertainty and inequality through a number of conflicts, humanitarian and ecological crises, Unity Theatre’s history as a platform for resistance and social change has never felt more relevant. The project reflects a deep commitment to honouring the building’s legacy in the city whilst creating innovative and groundbreaking theatre that champions diverse voices and engages local communities – all in aid of creating a more inclusive and forward-thinking society.
“I’m delighted to announce A Radical Reimagining, Unity’s major heritage project, bringing together exhibitions, events and performances that celebrate our radical past while championing the next generation of theatre-makers shaping our future. Exploring archives that date back to the 1930s has been truly inspiring, and it’s equally exciting to be creating new work that continues this legacy.”
Eli Randle, Unity Theatre’s Artistic Director
A Radical Reimagining | Unity Heritage Project
A Radical Reimagining will explore and interpret archival materials from 1930s – 2010s including administrative papers, minutes, correspondence, scripts, press cutting, photographs and promotional items. They are currently being archived by Liverpool John Moores University as part of this project. Alongside this, Unity will present a typically diverse summer programme, illustrating their ongoing commitment to platforming underrepresented voices and unconventional theatre.
Upcoming Programme at Unity Theatre
Theatre
Stage Left
Thursday 4th June – Saturday 6th June
Showings: 7.30pm, 2pm Matinee
Tickets
Created in-house at the Unity, this new performance dives into the theatre’s bold and rebellious past. From its roots as Merseyside Left Theatre in the 1930s to the vibrant creative home we inhabit today, A Radical Reimagining brings decades of radical storytelling roaring back to life.
Through dynamic performance, powerful voices, and striking moments from the past, we celebrate a legacy of theatre made for the people. Expect a journey through protest, passion, and creativity, a reminder that this stage has always belonged to those with something to say.
Young Radical Theatre Makers
Thursday 4th June – Saturday 6th June
Showings: 6pm-6.30pm or 6.45pm-7.15pm, 1.15pm-1.45pm Saturday Matinee
Tickets
Step into the future with Unity’s Young Radical Theatre Makers as they take the stage in a bold, high-energy ensemble performance. This new generation of artists amplifies the voices of today to ask the urgent questions of tomorrow; a call to listen, to reflect, and to imagine what comes next.
Divided by the ensemble. Directed by Grace Gallagher and Mariana Pires.
Art
‘A Radical Reimagining’ Exhibition – The History of Merseyside Unity Theatre, 1937-1987
Thursday 14th May – Sunday 28th June
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.45am-7pm, Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm
Location: Mount Pleasant Campus Library, 29 Maryland St, Liverpool L1 9DE
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Step into the past at this exhibition featuring archives from the Unity Theatre collection.
Exhibition Launch Event
Thursday 21st May, 4.30pm-6.30pm –
Location: Mount Pleasant Campus Library, 29 Maryland St, Liverpool L1 9DE
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Join LJMU Archives & Unity for an evening of celebration to mark the official opening of the Merseyside Unity Theatre archive exhibition, with pop up performances!
Archive Open Days
Thursday 4th June – Friday 5th June
Opening hours: 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm
Location: Special Collections and Archives, Mount Pleasant Campus Library, Liverpool John Moores University, 29 Maryland St, Liverpool L1 9DE
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Have you ever visited an archive before?
Join Unity at the open day sessions to view some of the original papers created and collected by Merseyside Unity Theatre. Explore rare scripts, programmes, photographs and songbooks, and meet the Project Archivist to learn more about how unique historical records are being preserved for future generations.
Film
Liverpool Doc Club presents Orwell: 2+2=5 (2026)
Saturday 23rd May, 6pm
Location: Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG
Tickets
“Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5” is a dense, urgent, and unapologetically blunt documentary that offers a chillingly relevant examination of totalitarianism’s enduring appeal and the societal conditions that enable it.
Director Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro) charts the startling continued relevance of visionary author George Orwell’s political observations. Orwell’s iconic novels “1984″ and “Animal Farm” foretold a chilling, all-too-believable authoritarian future. In “Orwell: 2+2=5”, working in collaboration with the Orwell Estate, Peck seamlessly interweaves historical clips, readings from Orwell’s diary, cinematic references, and dynamic modern day footage, to craft not only a definitive portrait of the writer himself, but an entirely fresh take on how remarkably prophetic his work has become.
Screening presented by LIV:DOX (Liverpool Documentary Club), a project fuelled by Imagine Futures CIC.
Workshops / Talks
Common Wealth Theatre Company present DO IT YOURSELF: Making Political Theatre
Friday 29th May
10am-12.30pm Workshop
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2pm-3.30pm Talk + Q&A
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Location: John Foster Drama Studio, Hope Street, L1 9BY
Age Guidance: 16+
This workshop will offer a brief introduction to a range of practical exercises to enable you to work with others to create political theatre and make social change. The exercises will give you an insight into Common/Wealth, how they make original theatre about the here and now, and with people who may not have been part of any theatre-making process before.
Suitable for people new to theatre, experienced theatre makers, activists and community organisers.
Sharing Common/Wealth’s DIY origins, how they’ve made shows along the way and why making political theatre is critical and urgent now more than ever.
About Common/Wealth: Common/Wealth is a political theatre company based in Bradford and Cardiff, UK. They make radical, high-quality documentary theatre and other public events that are site-specific, experimental and push form – relevant, artistic work addressing social injustices and concerns of our times, in partnership with the people who are most affected by inequity.
Political Songs Workshop: Sing, March, Protest with Patrick Dineen
Saturday 23rd May, 2pm-5pm
Location: Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG
Tickets
Come along and experience the political songs that the Unity Theatre would have performed, written and experienced over the years from the Spanish Civil War to the 1960s.
From rousing marching songs through to sophisticated cabaret. Listen and sing the wit, irony and dark humour of songs that speak of injustice and corruption.
Patrick Dineen is a composer and lyricist. He has written many scores for theatre and political
cabaret over the years and has a long standing relationship with Unity Theatre. His work as a composer includes TV, film, dance, cabaret and directing his own music-theatre shows.
Breaking the Class Ceiling:
A Live Exploration of Working Class Artistry
Saturday 30th May, 3pm-4.30pm
Location: Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG
Tickets
Join Unity for an unflinching, live panel discussion that bridges the gap between Unity’s 1930s ‘Workers’ Theatre’ roots and Liverpool’s contemporary creative scene.
In an era where the ‘class ceiling’ remains a challenging barrier in the arts, how do creatives and radical makers keep momentum? Unity will bring together five Liverpool working-class artists to discuss the politics of the stage, the power of heritage, and the future of working-class storytelling.
Followed by Radical Scratch Open Mic 5pm-6.30pm – offering a space for working-class creatives to test new ideas, political rants, or works in progress.