As the Empire theatre’s centenary year draws to a close, theatre director Diane Belding reflects on its huge milestone and what is to come for the historic venue
Theatre director at the Empire, Diane Belding
2025 marked a huge year for Liverpool’s Empire Theatre as it celebrated its 100th birthday. Having welcomed thousands of audiences into the theatre in its 100 years, it was a milestone that theatre director Diane Belding knew they “had to make a big fuss of”.
The centenary, which officially took place in March, was years in the making for staff at the Empire. As the theatre’s 100th year draws to a close, Diane spoke to the ECHO about what they had achieved and what the future looks like as it enters a new chapter.
She said: “We were a bit like we need to make sure that it’s a really special year. We want to put the best programming in possible, so it was something I was really keen on wanting to make a big fuss about. [Planning] started quite some years ago, so programming wise, I think we’ve had some really premium first class programming throughout the year with variety for everybody.
“I think it’s one of the best. It’s one of the greatest with numbers that we’ve attracted. We’re knocking on the door of 700,000 customers coming through the doors for 350 performances. So it’s busy, busy, busy.”
Liverpool’s Empire Theatre(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
She added: “We wanted to make sure that we had that premium show production. We wanted to make sure there was a gallery event. So we had to hang a hat and on the date, which actually ended up being the Blood Brothers week.
“So that’s our actual 100th birthday. That was one of the first things we needed to do was to make sure our 100th birthday date had an appropriate show. So Blood Brothers being Liverpudlian was absolutely spot on to tick. That was a job done.
“We wanted to try and get a royal visit. We did have the Duke of Gloucester so to tick that was another job done. We wanted to make sure there was something for the staff. So we made sure that there was a party at the end of the year.
The cast of Blood Brothers at Liverpool Empire Theatre(Image: Liverpool Empire Theatre)
“So we are going to celebrate their hard work and their contributions throughout the year. Our achievements wouldn’t have been possible but we’re also celebrating people who’ve worked here a long time.
“We’ve got people here, who’ve worked 20, 25, 30 years, we’ve got people working 35 years. So we’re going to recognise them and celebrate them. So that was another tick.”
For Diane, there have been many stand out moments throughout the centenary. The theatre welcomed award-winning musical Hamilton and managed to sell out its five-week run, something that can be “hard to achieve” in a theatre as large as the Empire.
Excited fans get their photograph taken in front of the Hamilton posters at the Empire Theatre(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Another is the theatre’s continued work with young people, Diane believes there have been 20,000 in total this year through its creative learning department. Its work includes getting young people into shows, hosting workshops and more.
It was also a record-breaking year for the Empire, following on from a record-breaking 2024, in terms of visitor numbers.
So now, as the theatre heads into its 101st year and begins a new chapter, Diane is confident that the theatre has already got “some really great shows”.
There are also refurbishment plans for its front of house spaces, with continued reinvestment going into the fabric of the 100-year-old building, such as the roof and machinery, to ensure it is here for years to come.
Diane said: “2026 is full, we’re full. We’ve got some really great shows. We’ve got Moulin Rouge throughout the summer, another long production run. We go again at Christmas, it is Mamma Mia, so another show that’s already been announced.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is coming to the Liverpool Empire(Image: Johan Persson)
“Mary Poppins starts the year off, so you know, that’s top, top drawer, that premium production. We’ve got Legally Blonde, Miss Saigon – the list is endless. I’m really, really pleased with how next year’s shaping up. We’ve got We Will Rock You with the youth theatre. British Operatic Society Theatre (BOST) they’re in there too.
“We try to work with the community and make sure that they’ve got their spaces in the theatre as well. So that sort of working with the community will continue into 2026.”
She added: “You’ve got to re-energise, we do work quite a long way ahead. You’ve got to deliver results, you know, to get those producers to come and return to the venue. We want the producers to be as excited as we are about putting shows on here.
“We want this little corner as the West End of Liverpool. Just keeping that energy up, keeping everyone excited. And I think that the program does that.
“The people of Liverpool are really up for trying new shows. And especially if it’s got a really good vibe to it and and you’re going to come out with that really happy feeling. They’re really supportive of those types of shows.
“Culture is really important to this city, and where I think we are at the moment, there’s a lot of places you can go, but we’ve all found our little niche.
“And I think we all complement all the other theatres in the city, what each other does. And I think that’s really positive. I think we work well together, the Everyman, the Playhouse, the Royal Court, Philharmonic, the arena.
“I think we just complement as a city, what we have to offer to local people and to the visiting community. Collaboration is really great.”
More information on the Empire theatre can be found on the ATG website.