10 theatre shows coming up in Liverpool you must see

It doesn’t matter whether you love a musical, a drama, comedy or an Audience With Q&A, our theatres have got a fabulous line-up of shows coming over the next few months.

There are touring productions with famous names, some big Liverpool favourites, and fantastic talent to discover. Here’s our pick of 10 theatre shows coming up in Liverpool you must see …

An Audience with Willy Russell – Shakespeare North Playhouse – August 20

Willy Russell is one of Liverpool’s greatest ever writers, the man behind long-running stage hits including Blood Brothers, Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. He’ll be at the Cockpit Theatre for one night, in conversation with theatre director Matthew Dunster, revealing all about an unbelievable career that covers more than five decades.

Find out more here.

Cuckoo – The Everyman – September 6-23

If you’re looking for a show that’s packed with homegrown talent then this is it – Cuckoo is a dark family comedy full of genuinely laugh out loud one-liners, written by BAFTA-winning Wirral-born Michael Wynne and with Corrie and Brookie’s Sue Jenkins as the matriarch, and Michelle Butterly, Jodie McNeeandEmma Harrison as her daughters.

Book tickets here.

By The Waters of Liverpool – M&S Arena – September 4-6

Stage versions of Helen Forrester’s novels are always a huge hit with Liverpool audiences and this one will be no different. By The Waters of Liverpool is a stunning period drama, set in the lead-up to WWII, that’s been adapted from her million-selling book. A great cast includes Daniel Taylor, fresh from the success of his Tommy Cooper one-man show. 

Book here.

Boys From The Blackstuff – Royal Court – September 15-October 28

Alan Bleasdale’s Boys From The Blackstuff is one of the best TV dramas ever created, now 40 years on from the telly series there’s a new stage adaptation from James Graham, writer of BBC’s Sherwood. It stays true to the original, so it centres around the lives of Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser in 80s Liverpool and looks like being one of the theatre highlights of the year.

Book tickets here.

Tony! The Tony Blair Rock Opera – Playhouse – October 10-14

It sounds like you couldn’t make it up, but there really is a rock opera based on the life of the ex-Labour Prime Minister, co-written by comedian Harry Hill. Where else would you get supporting characters including Princess Diana and Saddam Hussein? It’s had five-star reviews and been described as a cross between Yes Minister and The Rocky Horror Show.

Find out more here.

Sass: A Chained Melody – Unity Theatre – October 11

The Unity’s brilliant at showcasing new talent so Liverpool audiences get to see it first and this thought-provoking one-person play, part of the Up Next 2023 two-week festival celebrating Merseyside artists, definitely fits that bill. It’s written and performed by Olayemi Z. Ade, who plays Buki, a third of Sass – a Coventry-born RnB girl group on the brink of a split. 

Find out more here.

Ocean with Steve Backshall – Philharmonic Hall – October 23

Anyone who likes programmes like Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet is going to really love this. Steve Backshall presents a live show that’s all about the Ocean, including what we need to do to save it. Using stunts, experiments, props, the latest science and big screen footage from his many TV series, Steve brings an incredible underwater world to life.

Find out more here.

Jesus Christ Superstar – Liverpool Empire – October 23-28

This show had one of the most ‘wow’ casting announcements we’ve heard in a long time and it sounds like it’s going to be amazing. Julian Clary will be playing Herod like audiences have never seen him before in a tour of the Olivier Award-winning production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice’s phenomenal musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

Find out more here.

Macbeth – The Depot – November 18-December 20

There was a scramble to get priority tickets for this production at film studios The Depot when they first went on sale, but the good news is there are still some for grabs if you’re quick. Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma star in a new production of one of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays and Liverpool’s one of only four cities worldwide to get it.

Find out more here.

Peter Pan – M&S Bank Arena – December 2-3

Pop legend Boy George is coming to the Arena for two nights as Captain Hook in a huge budget extravaganza production of the classic Peter Pan. There’ll be all the usual panto fun but with animated digital sets, a giant animatronic crocodile, cirque performers, aerial stunts and the audience even gets to throw cannonballs at Hook’s ship!

Find out more here.

For more theatre shows coming up in Liverpool click here.