After a successful debut last year, Liverpool Theatre Festival returns this autumn, with a summer event to premiere new works also in the planning.

The main Liverpool Theatre Festival runs from 1-12 September 2021 and will feature more established acts, artists and productions, with the line-up to be announced soon. As per last year, the festival hub is the historic St Luke’s Bombed Out Church and gardens in Liverpool city centre.

Little LTF runs from 12-18 July 2021 and gives writers and performers the platform and opportunity to present new work in front of a live audience. It will be staged within the church walls in a specially designed undercover performance space.

Festival director Bill Elms said: “I am thrilled to announce the return of Liverpool Theatre Festival for 2021 – theatre is definitely back! We were so inspired by last year’s event that we are determined to return and take it to the next level, and the addition of Little LTF will do just that. We are sure the public appetite for live theatre and entertainment will be stronger than ever after a very challenging year for everyone. Both of this year’s events will be held in the open air and like last year, any necessary measures will be in place to ensure the safety of our audience, performers and those working at the festival. 

“Little LTF is critical to encourage and provide a platform for new work and it will sit incredibly well alongside the more established work and artists in the main festival programme. This is an extraordinary platform to showcase dynamic and innovative new work. The North West has an amazing pool of creative talent and this is a rare chance for writers and performers to premiere work to a live audience in a festival environment, it could springboard their show to the next level. Successful productions will be fully supported through the process of staging their show. 

“The pandemic continues to impact everyone involved in the industry – from performers, directors and writers, behind the scenes creatives like lighting, sound and costume, through to front of house teams. A year ago, I felt compelled to act and after a lot of phone calls, planning and an extremely fast turnaround, Liverpool Theatre Festival was born. My passion and commitment to push the event forward is stronger than ever, we are determined to press ahead and raise the funds to make it happen, and we can’t wait to see how the festival will flourish.”

Full details and criteria to apply for Little LTF will be available on the festival website on Tuesday 6 April at 10am along with the submission form here. The successful shows will be announced in May when tickets will also go on sale.