Liverpool Playhouse revamp revealed
It's hoped the refurb will safeguard the future of the 156-year-old theatre
Last updated 11th Nov 2022
Plans have been announced to revamp the Liverpool Playhouse on Williamson Square.
The theatre's confirmed that the same design team which led the development of the Everyman theatre will head up the project.
Architects Haworth Tompkins have been appointed by the Liverpool Playhouse, working in partnership with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Region and Liverpool Business Improvement District (BID).
The team will prepare a 'Capital Refurbishment Feasibility Study' that will safeguard the future of the 156-year-old theatre for generations to come.
Entertaining audiences since 1866, the Playhouse has played a vital role in the cultural lives of Merseyside's communities for over 150 years. A cultural gem of both local and national significance, the theatre is now in need of a major refurbishment, to both ensure it survives for another century and is as environmentally sustainable as it can be.
Haworth Tompkins and partners will be looking at how a refurbishment of the Playhouse could lead the way for similar age theatres across the world, by demonstrating that you can improve the environmental credentials of a listed building and its accessibility, while also acting as a catalyst for a cultural regeneration of its surrounding area.
On announcing the appointment, Mark Da Vanzo, CEO of the LMTT Trust which runs the Playhouse and the Everyman theatres said:
“We’re looking forward to working alongside the City Council, City Region and Liverpool BID to reimagine the Liverpool Playhouse for the future with the Haworth Tompkins team. Together with their partners, they presented a proposal that honours our heritage and place in Williamson Square, while bringing the theatre into the 21st century, for staff, artists, for audiences and the communities we serve. Having led on the re-development of the RIBA Stirling Prize winning Everyman, which had accessibility and sustainability at its heart, we can’t wait to see what might be possible for the Playhouse.”
Haworth Tompkins will work in partnership with a multi-disciplinary design team, including Liverpool based architects MGMA, Charcoalblue as Theatre Consultants, Layer Studio as Landscape Architects and Local Engagement by Placed. Speaking as Director Lead for the project, Lucy Picardo from Haworth Tompkins said:
“We're thrilled to be appointed. We already have a strong attachment to Liverpool through our work at the Everyman, led by my co-directors Steve Tompkins and Roger Watts, and much experience working with listed historic theatres such as Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. With a great team of partners on board, we're looking forward to delivering an ambitious, sustainable, practical yet joyous vision for the Playhouse and Williamson Square.”
The team will begin work immediately, building on their existing knowledge of the theatres and the city region, with their report due in Spring 2023.