Home / Arts and Entertainment / Epstein Theatre fights 'at risk' listing
Epstein Theatre fights 'at risk' listing
8 Jul
Summary
- Manager 'livid' over theatre's inclusion on 'at risk' list.
- Theatres Trust cites building integrity, not closure fears.
- Epstein Theatre has shows booked until 2028.
The Epstein Theatre in Liverpool has expressed strong objections to its inclusion on the Theatres Trust's annual register of venues "at risk." Manager Hayley Smitten stated she is "absolutely livid" about the listing, asserting the theatre is secure with bookings extending to 2028.
The Theatres Trust, a national advisory body, explained the theatre's continued presence on the "Theatres at Risk Register" is a precautionary measure. This aims to prevent potential changes that could jeopardize the building's long-term future, rather than indicating an immediate threat of closure.
Originally opened as Crane's Music Hall in 1913 and later known as the Neptune Theatre, the venue reopened in 2011 as the Epstein Theatre. Following a closure in 2023 due to funding withdrawal, it successfully reopened again in 2025, demonstrating its resilience.
