A Bit More Doddy – The Epstein Reopens with Heart, Humour and Homegrown Talent

What a night! Significant and poignant as the date chosen to relaunch the reopening of this iconic theatre in Liverpool was Brian Epstein’s birthday. Bill Elms, Theatre Producer and Artistic Director, along with Anthony Proctor-Williams, General Manager, put together an amazing night of entertainment—highlighting how grassroots theatre can launch the careers of many artists and how seat prices need to be affordable to the wider community to ignite their interest and encourage people to attend to watch local and national artists in both local homegrown and national touring plays.

With upholstered seating in the auditorium, a new lighting and sound system, plus a new, swish contemporary bar, The Epstein Theatre is ready to reaffirm its place in the hearts of theatre-goers and the community of Liverpool.

The press and guest night commenced with the inaugural cutting of a ribbon by Liverpool’s own Ricky Tomlinson, declaring the theatre re-open, before entering the front of house foyer to canapés, nibbles and drinks. The atmosphere was electric as many actors, press and media, business executives and local celebrities gathered to experience a night of entertainment, speeches—with the view of spreading the word, promoting the autumn-winter season of performances and helping the charitable status of the theatre by getting the community behind it and supporting by purchasing tickets. Everybody has a part to play in ensuring this and all theatre remains viable and open!

The show commenced with a performance by the students of LMA. Unfortunately, the sound system didn’t get the memo that everything had to be slick and work on the night. The students continued as they were unaware that the audience were unable to hear them, however their dancing more than made up for the patchy audio. As this was a night of unbridled support, the audience gave them a rousing applause.

Next to the stage were the uber-talented mother and daughter folk act from Wirral who were utterly amazing and highly entertaining. They showcased an array of original and cover songs, singing whilst playing the violin and guitar.

Ricky Tomlinson and Asa Murphy took to the stage next, with anecdotes of their time at the theatre and the many performances they had delivered here. Ricky also entertained the audience with stories of Sir Ken Dodd and wife Lady Ann, ending with that if ‘Doddy’ had still been alive he would certainly have been doing everything within his power to help sustain the success and longevity of this theatre. I truly believe that we all need to be a bit more ‘Doddy’ if we want our historic theatres to remain open for further generations.

Asa Murphy opened the second act with a highly entertaining medley of songs which saw him high-kicking his way across the stage. His vast vocal range is equally impressive. He is the ultimate professional showman. Talent oozes from him. He spoke about the amazing structure of the building and how the acoustics were designed to accentuate the artist’s voices. He adeptly demonstrated this without the use of a microphone, delivering a spine-tingling rendition of ‘Left My Heart In San Francisco’.

Andrew Lancel followed with an anecdotal monologue about Brian Epstein, or ‘Eppy’ as he was affectionately known to many, and how he had played the great man in a play about his life. Eppy was flamboyant, quirky, took no prisoners, yet never self-absorbed and self-promoting, preferring to promote his stable of performers. In the words of Paul McCartney, ‘if there ever was a fifth Beatle, it has to be the undisputed Brian Epstein’.

Joe Speare acted as a compere for the majority of the night and even had his own performance spot. Born in Liverpool, yet still retaining an American accent, Joe’s rendition of The Temptations hit, ‘My Girl’, raised the roof.

Charlotte Gallagher was an absolute sensation. Supremely talented with a voice that soared. Billy Butler proved the consummate professional, regaling humorous stories and just being a naturally entertaining and down-to-earth broadcaster. He desperately tried to interview Beryl Marsden, who wasn’t giving much away, however he persisted, wanting only to showcase her life and talent. When Beryl did perform, her voice defied her age and her talent and experience shone through.

Take a look at the season ahead, book tickets, and be a bit more ‘Doddy’—let us all support this iconic theatre!