Unity Theatre given grant to explore its heritage through year-long project

Unity Theatre has received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to embark on a year-long project exploring its rich cultural and political heritage.

This exciting initiative will not only honour the history of Unity Theatre but also shape its future, reinforcing its role as a vital hub for radical and inclusive theatre in Liverpool.

Through a multi-faceted heritage project, it will celebrate its building’s unique history—first as a synagogue and later as a home for political and grassroots theatre. Key elements of the project include:

• A theatre project celebrating Unity’s incredible history, as well as a new ‘Young Radical Theatre Makers’ group, empowering the next generation of artists to create bold, socially engaged theatre.
• The cataloguing and digitalization of our archives by Liverpool John Moores University Library, ensuring its history is preserved for future generations, with an exhibition of key items.
• Oral history recordings of people connected with Unity and talks featuring prominent local radical figures, shedding light on Liverpool’s activist past.
• The installation of original stained-glass features within its building, reconnecting it to its synagogue origins.

Unity Theatre’s home on Hope Place has been a place of gathering, worship, and artistic expression for over 160 years. Built in 1857 as Liverpool’s first synagogue for the New Hebrew Congregation, it later became Hope Place Synagogue in 1937, serving the city’s Liberal Jewish community until 1962.

By the late 20th century, the space transformed into a theatre, continuing its legacy as a place for community, discussion, and social change. Its roots trace back to the 1930s, when the Workers’ Theatre Movement used performance to amplify the voices of the working class. Originally known as the Merseyside Left Theatre, the company staged performances on street corners, in pubs, and in community halls, tackling issues such as workers’ rights, unemployment, and the rise of fascism.

In 1944, the company merged with London Unity Theatre, becoming part of a national movement dedicated to radical, politically engaged theatre. Ever since, Unity Theatre has championed bold, thought-provoking work that challenges the status quo and speaks to those often excluded from mainstream theatre.

At a time when the world faces increasing uncertainty and inequality, Unity Theatre’s history as a platform for resistance and storytelling has never felt more relevant. This project, initiated by the theatre’s new Artistic Director, reflects a deep commitment to honouring its legacy while creating innovative new theatre that amplifies diverse voices, re-engages local communities, and fosters activism through the arts.

Elinor Randle, Artistic Director, said:

“This has been a passion project of mine since I started at the Unity, our heritage isn’t present in our building and the vast archive is just sitting in boxes. I’m so excited to explore the history, create work and celebrate our heritage.

Unity is one of the few remaining theatres connected to the Workers’ Theatre Movement serving as a reminder of the powerful connection between art and activism. This seems particularly relevant with the state of the world today”

Susannah Waters, Head of Academic Services, LJMU Library, said:

‘LJMU Library are delighted to work with the Unity Theatre on this project. The Unity’s archives are a rich resource for the history of theatre, and for social and cultural history more broadly. The funding from HLF will allow LJMU to enhance online and physical access to this material and to engage with new audiences.’

Visit Unity Theatre website here.

Find out the latest theatre nows in Liverpool here.