What Everyman & Playhouse does

Everyman & Playhouse is the trading identity of Liverpool & Merseyside Theatres Trust (LMTT), a registered charity (No. 1081229) and company limited by guarantee operating two theatres in Liverpool, UK. The Trust runs the Everyman Theatre on Hope Street (approximately 400 seats, rebuilt in 2014) and the historic Playhouse Theatre on Williamson Square (a Grade II listed building dating from 1866), with a wholly-owned subsidiary, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Trading (LEPT), handling trading activities. The company employs 51-100 staff on a mix of full-time, part-time, casual and freelance contracts, and serves general theatre audiences, young people aged 14-25, schools from primary through university level, community organisations, and emerging creative professionals in the Liverpool City Region.

The core product is live theatrical performance — including an annual Rock 'n' Roll Pantomime, Made in Liverpool productions, and touring shows — with accessibility provisions (captioned, audio-described, BSL, and relaxed performances) embedded throughout the programme. Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining ticket sales (typically £20-£47 per ticket, with £5 under-25 and £15 school rates), donations and regular giving, food and beverage through the Street Café, gift vouchers (minimum £10, 12-month validity), and venue hire. Ticketing infrastructure runs on the Tessitura Network TNEW platform, with distribution via phone, in-person Box Office, and online purchase.

Beyond performances, the Trust operates an extensive artist development and social-impact ecosystem: YEP (Young Everyman Playhouse) for ages 14-25, Playwrights' Programme (ten months), Seed Commissions (£1,000 each to three playwrights annually), Directors' Programme, Writers' Room, and Spare Room studio for local artists. Community programming includes Creative Recovery (Merseyside Creative Recovery Network), Roots & Wings (for young people at risk of criminal exploitation), Pride On The Page shared reading, and partnerships with Barnardo's, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Mersey Care Life Rooms, Mandela8, Liverpool Hope University, BlackFest, and others. The organisation holds Artsmark Partner status, is an Arts Award Welcome Centre, a Disability Confident Employer, and a PiPA Strategic Partner.

Name

Everyman & Playhouse

Legal name

Liverpool & Merseyside Theatres Trust

Website

https://everymanplayhouse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1866

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Everyman & Playhouse is a Liverpool-based dual-venue theatre charity (Liverpool & Merseyside Theatres Trust) operating the Everyman Theatre and 1866 Playhouse Theatre, serving general audiences, young people aged 14-25, schools, and community groups through live performances, artist development programmes, and social-impact initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre and Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Broadway & Commercial Theatre Productions (MPAGABAA), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL)

Keywords

• Live theatre performances
• Youth theatre programmes
• Community arts outreach
• Arts education workshops
• Playwright development programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from ticket sales for performances at both Everyman and Playhouse theatres. Tickets non-refundable except for cancelled performances. Ticket protection offered via Secure My Booking.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Registered charity (No. 1081229) accepting donations. Regular giving and donor record administration. Registered with Fundraising Regulator following its Code of Practice.
3. Food and Beverage: Street Café operating at venues. Food and drink purchases recorded with personal information.
4. Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers available for purchase (minimum £10) valid for 12 months from purchase. Redeemable online, over phone, or at Box Office.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse operates two mid-scale theatre venues in Liverpool presenting live theatrical productions, including Made-in-Liverpool works, the annual Rock 'n' Roll Pantomime, and touring shows. The core commercial offering is supported by an in-house ticketing service (Box Office and Tessitura TNEW online), on-site food and beverage at the Street Café, gift vouchers, venue hire, and a wide programme of youth, education and community engagement activities.

Product overview

Everyman & Playhouse Theatres operates as a dual-venue theatre company in Liverpool, offering a unified programme of live theatrical productions, education services, community engagement, and artist development. The core offering consists of performances at the Everyman Theatre and Playhouse Theatre, supported by ticketing infrastructure via Tessitura. Artist development spans multiple streams: the Playwrights' Programme and Seed Commissions nurture writers; the Directors' Programme develops emerging directors; the Writers' Room and Spare Room provide workspace; and YEP serves young people aged 14-25. Community programmes include Creative Recovery, Roots & Wings, and partnerships with organisations such as Fallen Angels and Barnardo's. Schools and education services encompass workshops, tours, and Arts Awards support. Accessibility is embedded through captioned, audio-described, BSL, and relaxed performances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YEP (Young Everyman Playhouse): Youth theatre programme for young people aged 14-25 providing acting, directing, producing, technical, and writing opportunities
• Merseyside Creative Recovery Network
• Schools & Education Programme

Products and services

• Theatre Performances Live theatrical productions across two Liverpool venues — Everyman Theatre (5-11 Hope Street, ~400 seats) and Playhouse Theatre (Williamson Square, Grade II listed) — featuring Made in Liverpool works, the annual Rock 'n' Roll Pantomime, and touring productions. Targeted at general theatre audiences in Liverpool City Region.
• Gift Vouchers Redeemable vouchers priced from a £10 minimum, valid for 12 months from purchase, exchangeable online, by phone or at Box Office for tickets or on-site purchases. Targeted at gift purchasers and theatre audiences.
• Schools & Education Workshops and Tours Educational workshops, building and careers tours, Arts Award and Artsmark support, and school partnerships from Primary through University level. Devising workshop £275 + VAT; Live Theatre Review Tour £5 per person. Targeted at schools and education groups in Liverpool City Region.
• Venue Hire External hire of the Everyman Theatre and Playhouse Theatre for events, productions and conferences, booked through the Hire Us programme. Targeted at event organisers, producers, and corporate clients.
• YEP (Young Everyman Playhouse) Membership and £5 Tickets Free youth theatre membership for ages 14-25 providing acting, directing, producing, technical and writing pathways, with access to £5 tickets for selected shows. Targeted at young creatives in Liverpool.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28 young people graduated from Roots & Wings scheme, earning 72 AQA qualifications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tessitura NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationMain service provider for online ticketing services using TNEW platform (Tessitura Network Express Web). Not for profit organisation supporting arts and cultural organisations across the world.
• Curious MindscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Curious Minds for Arts Awards delivery, working with Local Cultural Education Partnerships (LCEPs) and Merseyside Arts Award Advisor Network.
• Anthony Walker FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnti-racism training partnership to ensure staff receive training with accountability and collective understanding of anti-racist actions.
• PiPA (Parents and Carers in Performing Arts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner with PiPA campaign who enable and empower parents, carers and employers to achieve sustainable change in attitudes and practices to attract, support and retain a more diverse and flexible workforce.
• Alder Hey Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYEP x Alder Hey Creative Play programme - youth theatre for 8-13 year olds who are outpatients of Alder Hey Health Teams, collaborating with the Arts and Health Team at Alder Hey.
• Barnardo'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for Barnardo's Action with Young Carers Liverpool who facilitate a community for Young Adult Carers aged 18-25, offering activities, wellbeing sessions and theatre attendance.
• Mersey Care - Life RoomscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mersey Care's Life Rooms programme to deliver free creative workshops at Life Rooms Southport and Walton, including crafts, musical theatre, comedy and drama.
• Liverpool Hope UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Recovery partnership with Associate Professor Zoe Zontou from Liverpool Hope University, leading academic in creativity arts and recovery. Developed Merseyside Creative Recovery Network.
• Mandela8coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoots & Wings programme supported by Mandela8 patron, LFC and England international Trent Alexander-Arnold. Programme supports young people at risk of criminal exploitation.
• CunardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCunard funded incredible tours of iconic buildings in Liverpool for recovery groups, providing support for creative recovery activities.
• The ReadercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQIA+ Shared Reading 'Pride on the Page' partnership with The Reader, bringing people together and books to life to make warmer, healthier, stronger communities.
• BlackFestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlackFest Script Club - creative and interactive artistic community development programme exploring work of contemporary Black British and Global Majority playwrights.
• The Blue Coat SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchools partnership with The Blue Coat School for education programme.
• Liverpool Hope UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchools partnership with Liverpool Hope University.
• Fallen Angels Dance TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Merseyside Creative Recovery Network. UK company providing dance theatre experiences for people in recovery from addiction and mental health adversity. Based at Liverpool Everyman.
• Transform Theatre GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Merseyside Creative Recovery Network. Creative Recovery group meeting weekly to explore creativity through drama, movement and music.
• Spider ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in Merseyside Creative Recovery Network.
• Collective EncountersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in Merseyside Creative Recovery Network.
• Choir with No NameminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in Merseyside Creative Recovery Network.
• Laugh for LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in Merseyside Creative Recovery Network.
• Graeae Theatre CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraeae Theatre Company runs online sessions on first Saturday of every month for children aged 6-11 who are Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, recommended for YEP x Alder Hey participants.
• Fundraising RegulatorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered with Fundraising Regulator and follows its Code of Practice for fundraising activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Birmingham Repertory Theatre: Major regional producing theatre with deep community and education programmes and a comparable producing scale. Closely aligned on artistic development (new writing, directors, young people) and charity-trust governance structure.
• Bristol Old Vic: One of the UK's oldest continuously operating theatres with a similar heritage-led producing model, ~400-seat main house, and parallel charity status. Closely mirrors Everyman & Playhouse on programming philosophy and civic role.
• Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh: Charitable producing theatre in a single city with similar venue scale, producing mission, and educational/outreach programmes. Directly comparable on structure (charity) and regional role.
• Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester: Mid-scale producing theatre in the north of England with a similar in-the-round venue model, comparable producing-and-presenting mix, and equivalent community/education programmes. Direct match on mission and operational shape to Everyman & Playhouse.
• Young Vic Theatre: London-based producing theatre renowned for new writing and director development programmes that closely parallel Everyman & Playhouse's Playwrights' Programme, Seed Commissions, and Directors' Programme. Comparable on artistic development ethos.
• Nottingham Playhouse: Mid-scale producing theatre operating from a heritage venue with ~750 seats, broadly analogous producing-and-presenting mix, and equivalent community engagement model. Comparable on operations and mission.
• Leeds Playhouse: Regional producing theatre of comparable size (~400–500 seat main house), publicly funded, with similar community engagement, new-writing development, and regional touring activity. Strong operational analogue in a similar northern English city context.
• Sheffield Theatres: Charitable trust operating multiple stages in a northern English city, with similar producing, community, and learning programmes. Direct peer in scale, governance, and audience reach.

Regional players

• Tobacco Factory Theatres Bristol: Smaller regional producing-and-presenting venue in south-west England with similar community/education outreach but at a smaller scale; relevant for benchmarking programme design rather than direct competition.

Broad incumbents

• Royal National Theatre: UK's flagship producing organisation with three auditoria and substantially larger scale; produces and tours the type of work that may transfer to/from regional stages like Everyman & Playhouse. Set industry context but materially larger.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/liveveryplay
• Facebookfacebook.com/everymanplayhouse

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Everyman & Playhouse