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| This
theatre opened in 1925, on a site which had housed a theatre
since 1866. |
The
Empire Theatre opened on the 9th March 1925, with the opening production
of 'Better Days', starring Stanley Lupino, Maisie Gay and
Ruth French.
However,
another theatre once stood on the present site, The New Prince of
Wales Theatre and Opera House which opened on the 15th October 1866.
At
the time it was Liverpool鈥檚 largest theatre, but it was only about
three-quarters of the size of the existing Empire.
On
July 29th 1867 its name changed to the Royal Alexandra Theatre
and Opera House to honour the Princess of Wales.
After
closing in 1894 the theatre opened in 1895 under the ownership of
Empire Theatre (Liverpool) Ltd, although it still remained Alexandra.
In 1886 the theatre changed its name to the Empire after it was
sold to Messrs. Moss and Thornton for 拢30,000. It opened on the
19th December 1896, with Oscar Barrett鈥檚 famous pantomime Cinderella.
The
theatre then closed its doors on Saturday 16th February 1924 for
the building of the new theatre which can be seen today.
In
July 1977 Moss Empires reviewed plans to dispose of the theatre
after making a loss over the previous five years, and two years
later in April 1979 Merseyside County Council saved the theatre.
By
October 1979, 拢330,00 had been spent on the back stage and a further
拢350,000 in 1980.
The improvements included new lighting facilities, sound system
and new dressing rooms.
The second phrase included the stage and orchestra pit being extended.
Today improvements are still being made to the theatre by its present
owners Clear Channel Entertainment.
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