Little Theatre Southport
WHERE
Southport
What it’s like
A traditional amateur theatre putting on eight plays a season plus a Christmas pantomime, in a historic building just off the seafront.
This is a proper working theatre club rather than a big commercial venue, and that's part of the charm. The Club puts on plays roughly nine times a year: eight in the Main Season running September to May, each show typically running for eight nights, and then the pantomime taking over for around three weeks either side of Christmas. There's also a ninth production staged in the Bar in May or June, which is a nice touch if you fancy something a bit different from the main stage.
The building itself is old and it shows, in a good way and a less good way. It's a proper historic theatre, but the site is upfront that the roof is at the end of its life and needs major repairs, and the whole place shuts for four to six weeks over summer for holidays and maintenance. Worth factoring that closure into any summer plans.
Getting there is easy if you're not driving: the train station is two minutes away and buses stop right opposite. If you are driving, parking is free after 7pm at Sainsbury's nearby, free after 6pm on Mornington Road and Hill Street, or paid next to the railway station, which means an evening show is a lot cheaper to park for than a matinee.
Access has been thought about properly. The auditorium is upstairs on the first floor, but there's a lift as well as the roughly 16 steps, two wheelchair spaces in row S for chairs up to 110cm by 75cm, an accessible toilet on the ground floor and a hearing loop. If your wheelchair is bigger than that, you will need to transfer to their manual chair, so it is worth building in the recommended 30 minutes early arrival.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free parking after 7pm at Sainsburys (short walk)
- Wheelchairs
- Lift access to first-floor auditorium
- Getting there by bus or train
- Train station 2 minutes walk. Numerous buses opposite theatre
- The roof is currently at the end of its life and needs major repairs, so this is a lovingly-used historic building rather than a shiny new one
- Summer brings a four to six week closure for holidays and maintenance
- Arrive 30 minutes early if you need the wheelchair spaces or the theatre's manual chair
- Evening parking is far cheaper than daytime, with free spots kicking in after 6pm or 7pm nearby
Plan your visit
Do we need to book ahead?
You can book online, by phone or in person at the Box Office. Box office hours are 11am to 1pm the week before a show and 6pm to 7.30pm during production week.
Is there parking nearby?
Sainsbury's car park is free after 7pm, and Mornington Road and Hill Street are free after 6pm. There is also paid parking next to the railway station.
How do we get there without a car?
The train station is about two minutes away on foot and buses stop directly opposite the theatre.
Is the theatre wheelchair accessible?
A lift takes you up to the first-floor auditorium and there are two wheelchair spaces in row S, though they only fit chairs up to 110cm by 75cm. Anyone with a bigger chair will need to transfer to the theatre's own manual wheelchair, so arriving 30 minutes early is a good idea.
Can we bring our own drinks?
No, only alcoholic drinks bought at the theatre can be consumed there, so leave anything you've brought from home at home.
Is the theatre open all year round?
It closes for four to six weeks over summer for holidays and maintenance, so it is not running a show every single week of the year.
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