Attracting some of the biggest names in the profession such as Sarah Siddons – the first woman to perform Hamlet – and throughout the 19th Century when stars such Sir Henry Irving, Charles Dickens and Sarah Bernhardt trod Liverpool’s boards, not to mention the appearance of latter day icons such as Laurel & Hardy and Marlene Dietrich.
This innovative new course utilizes a stunning mixture of paper ephemera, daybills, photographs, paintings and theatrical posters in order to map the rich social, cultural and performative histories of several key Liverpool theatres and music halls, enabling partipants to develop a deeper understanding of Liverpool’s historic importance in the establishment of ‘Theatre’ as an independent art form and as a major generator of creativity and talent.
Week 1: Introduction: All of Liverpool’s a Stage (Actors & Actresses)
Week 2: The Theatre Royal, Williamson Square
Week 3: The Royal Colosseum/Queen’s Theatre, Paradise Street
Week 4: The Prince of Wales Theatre/Liverpool Empire
Week 5: The Star Theatre of Varieties/Liverpool Playhouse
Week 6: The Shakespeare Theatre, Fraser Street
Week 7: The Liverpool Olympia, West Derby Road
Week 8: The Royal Court Theatre, Great Charlotte Street
Week 9: The Everyman Theatre, Hope Street
Week 10: Conclusion & Coda – Performances at St. George’s Hall
Full fee £132/Concession £66