Liverpool Theatre Festival returns for 2021 with added new writing strand

Liverpool Theatre Festival will return to the Bombed Out Church this year after a successful inaugural event in 2020.

The open-air ‘under cover’ festival will run from September 1-12 with a mixture of artists and productions.

And new for this year is a second event in July, Little LTF, which will champion new talent and give writers and performers the chance to stage new work in front of a live audience.

Liverpool Theatre Festival was the brainchild of producer Bill Elms who wanted to bring live performance back after theatres were closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Covid-safe measures included socially distanced ‘bubble’ seating, temperature checks at the door, hand sanitiser stations and asking people to wear masks while moving about the space.

There was also an app for an at-seat drinks service.

Last year’s event included plays, comedy, music and family entertainment. The programme for this year’s September festival and the Little LTF – running from July 12-18 - is yet to be announced.

A Friends Festival loyalty scheme is also set to be launched.

Liverpool Theatre Festival founder Bill Elms. Photo by Wesley Storey. Top: Liverpool Theatre Festival 2020. Photo by David Munn

Festival director Bill Elms says: “We’re sure the public appetite for live theatre and entertainment will be stronger than ever after a very challenging year for everyone. Both of this year’s events will be held in the open air and like last year, any necessary measures will be in place to ensure the safety of our audience, performers and those working at the festival.

“We were so inspired by last year’s event that we are determined to return and take it to the next level, and the addition of Little LTF will do just that.

“Little LTF is critical to encourage and provide a platform for new work and it will sit incredibly well alongside the more established work and artists in the main festival programme.

“The North West has an amazing pool of creative talent and this is a rare chance for writers and performers to premiere work to a live audience in a festival environment, it could springboard their show to the next level. Successful productions will be fully supported through the process of staging their show.”

Liverpool Theatre Festival runs from September 1-12, and Little LTF from July 12-18. More details from the website HERE