Theatre shows that are coming to Liverpool in 2026

With a standing ovation ever at the ready, if there’s one thing we love in this city it’s a cracking performance.

And whether it’s a toe-tapping musical, a hilarious farce or a new take on an old classic that gets you up on your feet, you can guarantee you’ll find something to enjoy and applaud in Liverpool’s amazing theatres this year.

Mary Poppins, Letter to Brezhnev and Prima Facie are just some of the incredible live productions we’ve got to look forward to in 2026. So don’t wait, get booking now – here’s what’s on where …

Royal Court

From comedy to drama, there’s plenty to get us to the Royal Court this year, and among the highlights are Aron Julius’ Conteh, telling the story of Kirkby boxer John who won gold at the Commonwealth Games at 19, and became the light heavyweight champion of the world five years later, from April 17 to May 9. Take Me Home County Road provides giggles galore from July 31 to August 29 when Scouser Shelly seeks country and western stardom – but the climax has got to be Frank Clarke’s adaptation of his incredible ‘80s romantic comedy film Letter to Brezhnev, with Kirkby girls Teresa and Elaine seeking love with two Soviet sailors (September 11-October 17).

Get tickets here.

Empire Theatre

Everyone’s favourite nanny flies into the Empire from January 14-31 with the always popular Mary Poppins musical and while that’s guaranteed to be Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, it marks the start of an amazing season at the Lime Street theatre which also includes Matthew Bourne’s enthralling production of The Red Shoes from February 24-28; the Olivier award-winning National Theatre Production of Dear England, telling the uplifting and at times heart-breaking story of Gareth Southgate as England manager (March 3-7), and 2:22 A Ghost Story chilling audiences from April 6-11. More musicals later include Legally Blonde, Dirty Dancing, Miss Saigon, The Bodyguard, The Rocky Horror Show, and Moulin Rouge.

Get tickets here.

Unity

There’s comedy alongside thought-provoking theatre at the Unity as always, including The Ghost of Graves End which is the story of Charles, a penniless poet who takes a position as a tutor to a peculiar orphan boy. Afflicted by strange dreams, things that go bump in the night, and increasingly dire circumstance, Charles has to decide whether to stay or get the Hell out of there (Jan 28 – 31).

Also coming to the stage at Unity is The Marian Hotel by Caitriona Cunningham which tells the moving story of Kitty who arrives in a mother and baby home in 1979 against the backdrop of the war in the North of Ireland (Feb 6-7). Dru Cripps is there with his Juicy Bits on March 20, and Rachel Barry and Nina Levy will be presenting their latest show Motion Sickness on March 21.

Get tickets here.

Shakespeare North Playhouse

After its acclaimed panto, the Prescot theatre’s welcoming Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham for An Evening with the Mayors on January 29 featuring live music and chat from the pair.  In February (4-7) you can look forward to A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a production by Headlong and Shakespeare’s Globe, with Bristol Old Vic & Leeds Playhouse; Jim Cartwright’s poignant play Two takes audiences into the world of a working-class pub courtesy of former Brookside actors Michael Starke and Sarah White from March 6 to 28, and there’s song and satire in Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale from June 12 to July 4.

Get tickets here.

Epstein

After a sold-out Epstein Theatre 2026 Season Launch Party on January 10 to officially celebrate the new theatre, it’s looking like a belting year with comedy, music shows and even a circus spectacular. EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison stars in the nationally acclaimed Life of Riley on February 18 focusing on an ordinary family trying to cope with everyday life including a diagnosis of autism for their youngest son; Daniel Taylor leads in Something about George, the musical biopic tribute to George Harrison on February 21, and Corrie’s Wendi Peters is Florence Foster Jenkins – the American socialite known for her flamboyant costumes, enigmatic performances, and decidedly off-key voice – in Glorious from March 23-28.

Get tickets here.

Liverpool Playhouse

Prima Facie is the multi-award winning production starring Jodie Comer as the brilliant young barrister Tessa which deserves a mention even though the show from March 17-21 is sold out. It’s a real coup for the playhouse and is set to delight audiences – but other shows will grip people too: like The Shawshank Redemption, starring Bill Ward, Joe McFadden and Ben Onwukwe in the stage version of Stephen King’s prison-set drama, there from March 31 to April 4, and Single White Female – April 28 to May 2 – starring Kym Marsh and Lisa Faulkner in the edge-of-your-seat thriller about a woman who sees a lodger as a lifeline, until the boundaries of their lives begin to blur.

Get tickets here.

Everyman

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star in the Samuel Beckett classic Waiting for Godot from March 17 to April 4, helping to launch another superb season. The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher, based on the darkly funny and intense short story by Hilary Mantel, follows from May 2 to May 23, and later on in the year Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman reveals a family at breaking point and examines how we reach for our dreams among the pressures of an ever changing world. That’s on from September 19 to October 10.

Get tickets here.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton

Music, comedy evenings and explorations of true crime evidence the variety of shows which prove why the Floral is increasingly popular. Add to that immersive theatre like Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience (January 15-17) and you can see why there’s almost always a full house. Jason Durr, Susie Blake, Max Bowden, and Katie McGlynn star in Murder at Midnight, a twisted crime caper, from February 24-28, and you can catch Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story there from March 10-14, following the legendary singer’s rockabilly beginnings to international stardom with some of the world’s best-loved songs.

Get tickets here.

Theatre Royal, St Helens

Strictly fans will be hoping for front row seats when Argentine Tango King and Strictly Come Dancing legend Vincent Simone returns to the stage – in particular the Theatre Royal on February 3 –  with Tango Passions,  and the theatre’s own panto baddie Tim Lucas is his likeable self in ‘We’re Having a Party’ on April 17 with a night of laughter, nostalgia, and music. Author, presenter and traveller Simon Reeve takes us To The Ends of The Earth on May 5 offering stories and surprises to encourage us all out of our comfort zone, and Crissy Rock stars in Desperate Scousewives: Lily’s Story on June 12. 

Get tickets here.

M&S Bank Arena

It’s mainly our music fix that gets us heading to the waterfront arena, but it also hosts some amazing shows, like the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour which sees celebrities like Vicky Pattison and La Voix strutting their stuff with everyone’s favourite professional dancers from February 5-6, and Disney on Ice which presents Into the Magic from February 26 to March 1, celebrating the joy of courage, love and adventure with Belle, Rapunzel, Moana and more.

Get tickets here.

Find out happening across 2026 in Liverpool here.

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