Historic theatre’s final call

LIVERPOOL’S famous Epstein Theatre has collapsed into administration – but the firm running it has insisted the show will go on over Christmas.

The historic playhouse, which first opened its doors in 1913 as Cranes Music Hall, has appointed FRP Advisory as administrator after falling behind on its rent.

FRP will continue to run the theatre as normal, retaining all 30 staff, while restructuring takes place. Lila Thomas, partner at FRP, said: ‘The Epstein Theatre doors remain open for the entirety of the Christmas season and beyond.

‘Talks are at an advanced stage with key stakeholders for a financial restructure ensuring operations continue as normal for all current bookings, planned future shows, and to place the theatre within a more sustainable structure.’

Liverpool council owns the freehold, but the ownership structure is complicated by the presence of a long leaseholder, Hanover Estate Management.

In 2012 the council gave David and Rebekah Pichilingi a contract for 18 years to run the listed building – which is named after the late Beatles manager Brian Epstein – but it is understood to have lost money for several years.

FRP’s financial restructuring is aimed at making the council the primary leaseholder.

The Peter Pan Christmas pantomime, which is due to open today, will go ahead with an unchanged schedule.

Ms Thomas added: ‘All theatre staff are being retained and paid as normal while a solution is finalised.’