After a closure of more than two years, Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre will officially reopen next month.
The theatre, based on Hope Street, has been closed since 2011 while a reincarnation, designed by London-based company Haworth Tompkins, has taken place.
Known for producing a wide range of theatre shows, the new Everyman is set to open its doors over the weekend of March 1st and will showcase its new 400-seat theatre, following its £27million facelift.
Executive Director Deborah Aydon said: “After 10 years’ planning and two years’ construction we are thrilled to be able to announce the Everyman’s reawakening. We have a very busy few months ahead, getting ready for that extraordinary moment when the people of Liverpool can take possession of their beautiful new theatre.”
The venue now has a re-make of its original bistro, a new ground floor café, a bar and has a variety of creative spaces, including workshops, rehearsal rooms and a sound studio.
On the front of the theatre, there are 105 portraits of people across Merseyside on metal shutters creating a unique piece of art above the famous red lit Everyman sign.
Aydon said: “The reaction to the exterior has been really wonderful and we can’t wait to have the Everyman fully back to life, thronged with people making it their own.”
The opening night will be branded as the people’s celebration and will have a parade in collaboration with the Liverpool Lantern Company and Walk the Plan. A housewarming will be thrown on March 2nd to welcome people to see the new build.
Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz said: “The Everyman has historically been a theatre that has represented the renegade and generous spirit of this city. It has held its arms wide open for the broadest section of humanity. It has always been fearless. It has always had a twinkle in its eye.”
Shows will officially start from March 8th, with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, starring Matthew Kelly and Nick Woodeson, who both started their careers at the Everyman in the 1970s.