Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres unveil packed new season of shows

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan, who first met at the Everyman during the 1970s, now take to the stage in a powerful new production of Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot.

George’s credits include John, Paul, George, Ringo… and Bert  (Liverpool Everyman) and See No Evil: The Moors Murders, the BAFTA-winning drama. Matthew last appeared at the Everyman for the theatre’s re-opening with Twelfth Night. They have previously appeared together in Of Mice and Men (Birmingham Rep) for which Matthew won an Olivier Award for Best Actor. This co-production with Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and Octagon Theatre Bolton runs at Everyman from 17 March to 4 April 2026.

Cartoonopolis, the hit one-man show returns to the Playhouse on 10 September fresh from a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Created by YEP graduate Lewis Ian Bray as a tribute to his younger brother Jack, Cartoonopolis is a vibrant and imaginative exploration of neurodivergence, creativity, and the power of family.

Direct from the West End, The Last Laugh is a brand new laugh-a-minute play that reimagines the lives of three of Britain’s greatest comedy legends: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. Catch it at the Playhouse from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 September.

Susan Hill’s legendary ghost story The Woman in Black returns to Liverpool from 24 to 28 February 2026. Following that, imitating the dog are back at the Playhouse as well with their new take on H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, running from 4 to 7 March 2026.

One of the most iconic Britpop chart battles — Blur vs Oasis — comes to life on the Playhouse stage in The Battle, starring Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey) as the music executive who ignited the race to No.1. The production makes its world premiere from Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 May 2026, ahead of a West End run.

The Playhouse also has a half-term solution for parents. The beloved children’s book A Squash and a Squeeze by author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler comes to life on stage for the first time, from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 February 2026.

Comedy fans are in for a treat at the Playhouse, with a line-up of stand-up favourites heading to Liverpool. one of the UK’s greatest comedians, Kerry Godliman returns to the stage with her latest new show Bandwidth on Friday 14 November. Welcoming spring 2026 with a laugh, the Playhouse presents Ardal O’Hanlon: Not Himself on Thursday 26 March, Aisling Bea: Older Than Jesus on Friday 27 March, and the much-loved Hollie McNish with her brand-new book tour on Saturday 28 March, followed by Judi Love returns with her new show All About the Love on Thursday 25 April 2026. Looking ahead to autumn 2026, award-winning comedian Scott Bennett explores our obsession with consumerism in his latest show Stuff, arriving on Wednesday 9 September 2026.

Meanwhile, the Everyman is bringing the laughs to Hope Street with Rosie Jones: I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying on Tuesday 21 October and James Acaster: Work in Progress on Thursday 23 October.