History
The Royal Court Theatre has been at the heart of Liverpool’s cultural and social life for nearly 200 years. The three main elements of performance over the last 70 years have been theatre, comedy and music.
The theatre first opened in 1826 and was known as Cooke’s Amphitheatre of Arts presenting a wide programme of entertainment including theatre, opera and ballet.
In 1881 it was renamed the The Royal Court Theatre and in 1933 was destroyed by a fire and rebuilt again in 1938, which is the building that stands today.
In 1976 it was owned by Merseyside County Council and until 2004 served as a rock and pop concert hall. In 1990 the building was Grade II listed highlighting the fact that it is a major part of Liverpool’s heritage.
From 2004 to 2006 the stage was home to Rawhide Comedy Club and then in 2006 it became a producing theatre with Liverpool Theatre Company Ltd. operating within the building and Rawhide Comedy Club now operating downstairs in the basement venue.
Today the theatre produces from scratch, all of the work on stage and is the only non-funded producing theatre of its kind, making it unique and something for Liverpool to be proud of.
The Royal Court’s current successes are:
- being the only non-funded continuously producing theatre in the country
- providing continuous work for local actors, directors and writers
- producing a programme of popular entertainment with mass appeal
- bringing new audiences to theatre (32% have never been to a theatre before)
- creating a unique theatre experience with cabaret style seating in the stalls serving pre-show dinner
- maintaining strong links with Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, (LIPA) via employment and training opportunities
- developing expanding education & participation programme for all ages
