Lyric Theatre

Situated in Everton Valley, near the junction with Walton Road, Liverpool, the Lyric Theatre opened on 26th December 1897 with the pantomime “Blue Beard”, written by J. H. Wolfe. The show was introduced by lessee and manager H. C. Arnold. There were 1,882 seats, across stalls, boxes, circle and gallery. The theatre was owned by Ellis Brammall Jr, who inaugurated the Shakespeare Theatre in the city.

Aside from the pantomimes each Christmas, Mr Arnold ran the Lyric Theatre for five years as a home for drama but, when the theatre was added to the Barrasford Tour (Circuit) of music halls, it became a popular twice nightly variety theatre from Easter Monday 1903.

Variety, interspersed with occasional plays, was presented for many years, but there was also a long period of closure before the theatre was added to W. Gordon’s cinema circuit. After extensive renovation and redecoration, which could well have included a reduction in seating capacity, the Grand Opening of the Lyric Super Cinema took place on 19th September 1921 with “Weavers of Life”, starring Helen Hayes, supported by an all-star programme and orchestral accompaniment in the evening. “Comfort with perfect projection at popular prices” was advertised.

This venture, however, was rather short-lived, as there was no application for the renewal of the Cinematograph Licence when it expired on 31st October 1924.

The theatre became available for rent, and was taken on by J. Leslie Greene. The Lyric Theatre was once again redecorated and reopened as a live theatre on 28th December 1925 with a review, “There You Are Then!”, to considerable success.

Unfortunately, once again this was relatively short-lived. Once the Liverpool Fire Brigade had reported that a fire hazard existed due to unsatisfactory exits, the theatre closed for good on 19th November 1932 with the last of a successful series of reviews by Fred. D. Nielson, the probably-intentionally ironic “Laugh and Risk It”.

The theatre was used as a warehouse and was mostly destroyed by German enemy action in 1940. After this the remains of the building were used as a garage for Wm. Rainfords Demolition, before being demolished in 1974 for road improvements.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.