Staff at The Epstein Theatre on Hanover Street Liverpool have celebrated a special milestone—for the venue has been entertaining audiences for 100 years.
Local historian Philip Mayer has been researching the history of The Epstein and discovered it opened as Crane’s Concert Hall on Thursday 3 February 1916,after being first licensed on 27 January.
Philip, from the Dingle, was delving into the history of local cinemas when he stumbled across planning documents for the building.
The auditorium was built to showcase the pianos built by The Crane Brothers. Originally a pawnbroking business in Scotland Road, the company’s music store on Hanover Street was built incorporating the auditorium.
The auditorium boasts a grand interior and seats 380 over two levels.
Theatre manager Rebekah Pichilingi said: “we were delighted to learn the Epstein has been bringing top class entertainment to the people of Liverpool for a century. As well as a sense of pride, we also feel an enormous sense of responsibility to maintain this reputation.”