Liverpool Tier 2 means Christmas cheer for city arts venues
Liverpool’s Christmas shows and concerts will go ahead after news the City Region has moved into Tier 2 following the latest Covid lockdown.
The city was in the highest Tier 3 before the national lockdown, but mass testing has helped to reduce the level of infections, something that has been recognised in the announcement of the new tier system by the Government.
It means socially distanced shows planned at the Liverpool Playhouse, Everyman and Royal Court will be able to go ahead, while the region’s museums and galleries will also be able to reopen their doors from December 2.
The RLPO’s December series of concerts will also be able to run as planned from December 3.
A Christmas Carol is set to open at the Playhouse on December 5 and runs until Christmas Eve, while the Everyman’s seasonal programme starts on December 10.
Meanwhile the Royal Court Selection Box runs from December 11 to January 30.
Royal Court executive producer Kevin Fearon said: “After the year we’ve all had it is a real treat to know that we are going to have an audience back in the building. We can’t wait to see all of the cast, crew and our regulars back enjoying themselves.
“Everybody has been really understanding as we have moved shows and tickets around so it feels good to give them something back. We’ve got plans in place for more shows in the new year so if all goes well over Christmas we can look forward to a busy 2021.”
Meanwhile Jack and the Beanstalk will go ahead at the Auditorium at the M&S Bank Arena from December 18-27.
And Beauty and the Beast is being staged at St Helens Theatre Royal from December 11 to January 3.
Chester is also in Tier 2 which means Storyhouse’s A Christmas Carol, which was due to open in November, will also now run – and plans to start on December 2 itself making it one of the first festive shows in the UK to open to live audiences.
Storyhouse chief executive Andrew Bentley said: " It’s our privilege and our joy to be staging a show this Christmas; we're one of the lucky ones.
"Storyhouse was the country’s first theatre to open after lockdown and we learnt a lot about staging shows in this climate, in the summer, with a 33-date run of A Comedy of Errors.
"That sold out in a week and we know how much a little taste of normal means to the country. We’re proud to be playing our part. Bring on the tinsel.”
The theatre had held back tickets for people who wanted to book from the Liverpool area and those are now being released for performances.