Gladstone Theatre

0151 643 8757

In 1891 William Gladstone MP was invited to Port Sunlight by the first Lord Leverhulme to officially open the Gladstone Hall - as a dining and recreation room for male workers in the Lever Brothers Soap Factory.

Since then, it has seen a variety of uses. Port Sunlight Players started performing plays and musicals in the hall in the 1920's. The raked floor of the auditorium was installed in the 1950s.

The Gladstone Theatre Trust was formed in 1984 following discussions between the two resident societies - Port Sunlight Players and Fortune Theatre Group - and the building's owner (UML Limited – now Port Sunlight Village Trust). At that time, the hall was renamed The Gladstone Theatre.

The Trust is not only responsible for running the Theatre as a viable commercial concern - but also as a Community Theatre for the benefit of local schools, youth theatre groups, dancing schools, drama festivals and amateur performers in drama and music. The Trust also looks after all internal improvements and maintenance.

In 1891 William Gladstone MP was invited to Port Sunlight by the first Lord Leverhulme to officially open the Gladstone Hall - as a dining and recreation room for male workers in the Lever Brothers Soap Factory.

Since then, it has seen a variety of uses. Port Sunlight Players started performing plays and musicals in the hall in the 1920's. The raked floor of the auditorium was installed in the 1950s.

The Gladstone Theatre Trust was formed in 1984 following discussions between the two resident societies - Port Sunlight Players and Fortune Theatre Group - and the building's owner (UML Limited – now Port Sunlight Village Trust). At that time, the hall was renamed The Gladstone Theatre.

The Trust is not only responsible for running the Theatre as a viable commercial concern - but also as a Community Theatre for the benefit of local schools, youth theatre groups, dancing schools, drama festivals and amateur performers in drama and music. The Trust also looks after all internal improvements and maintenance.

In addition to our 470 seat auditorium we have a spacious, fully licensed bar - to ensure a pleasant and relaxing evening.

If you'd like to enjoy a drink before the performance, or prefer to beat the rush by placing your interval order in advance - the bar opens 30 minutes before Curtain. Bar service normally continues post-performance.

Tea, coffee, soft-drinks, ices and chocolate are also available during breaks.