Liverpool theatres use European Capital of Culture year to carve out their own niches

THEATRES outside the core of the majority of the 2008 programme used Capital of Culture to carve their own niche into the Liverpool cultural offering.

The Unity received enhancement funding for 2008 and highlights included When We Dead Awaken, the final play by Henrik Ibsen. The collaboration between the Unity and two Swedish theatres ensured links with international companies were forged. Artistic director Graeme Phillips said: “After 2008, there is a lot of concern with the economic situation. Audiences will either see theatre as a luxury and drop off, or people will feel they need that sense of community and theatre will become something to hold on to. We need to see which way it goes.”

Hannah Collins, general manager of the Liverpool Empire, said big events, including the latest touring production of Evita and a £1m panto starring Cilla Black, were all down to Capital of Culture.

“This year has shown for us, as a predominantly touring venue, that there is a renewed interest in Liverpool.”

The Royal Court forged ahead with its own new productions completely independently, with it’s aim of celebrating populist Liverpool theatre.

Chief executive Kevin Fearon said: “Our goal for 2008 was to make the Royal Court a successful theatre, because what we are doing here is a little bit different, and we are the only theatre in the country that is producing work full time without any funding.”