Liverpool’s Unity Theatre to reopen with free rehearsal space for artists

Liverpool’s Unity Theatre is to provide free rehearsal space for artists when its building reopens on August 31.

Creatives will be able to use the space for the development of work and to “create, explore and rediscover their art” between September and December.

This pilot initiative will form the basis for a new programme of work, to be announced mid-September, to mark the company’s 40th anniversary.

The Unity Theatre has said it is currently unable to confirm when live performance will return.

To generate income in the meantime, the venue is making its spaces – which include a bar space and two black box theatres - available to hire for businesses, charities and community groups.

Smaller local businesses, community groups and charities that are unable to afford the hire rates due to the impact of Covid-19 will be able to rent the spaces on a pay-what-you-can basis.

The Unity Theatre is also launching an online platform, called Unity Online, which compiles all the work the theatre has created during lockdown and will host additional online programming.

The hub, which will also feature business skills sessions, guest workshops and streamed theatre productions from partners, will go live in mid-August.