Liverpool Empire — Attraction in Liverpool

The show was great but lost continuity due to missing about a quarter of the second half. Due to a miscommunication and a bad attitude from 2 members of the lounge bar staff. We had a prepaid drinks package, and after asking at the box office, we were told we could go to any bar to order and collect our drinks. Despite it having been pointed out to us by an access member of staff before the show(I have a walker to walk) a fully stocked bar, bar staff and the word "bar" in lounge bar they are apparently not a bar and you can't get drinks from there. They looked my son from head to toe and dismissed him with distain until they realised he was escorting me. For the reasons given above, our misunderstanding was understandable. But they still had me go to the downstairs bar (apparently they could have redirected us to somewhere on the same level, but didn't) the lift doors closed on me and my walker hurting my arm and leg (not badly but enough to feel shaken). Staff asked if I was OK and offered medical assistance but didn't come out of the kiosk or alert anyone to actually get me out. Then the doors opened, and I was able to free myself. We then had to join another queue to get the drinks. Then queue to use the disabled toilet, then Had to wait for my son (who had had to go to another floor to go to the toilet himself then return for me). The second half had already started while i was in the toilet. Obviously by this time the auditorium was in darkness and my walker had to be placed in a wheelchair bay and walk the rest of the way in total darkness and I struggle in the light it was even worse without my walker. Ironically, the steps up to "J22" were the easiest parts. Then, a mild astma ensued with I managed to get under control with my inhaler, but the coughing side of it disturbed other theatre users, and I was unable to take myself out of the situation. I raised a complaint with a manager at the end of the show who said that the relevant members of staff would be spoken to but inorder for my complaint to be logged properly I would have to do it online via the feedback email. This is an added layer of dissatisfaction as I am unable to do this without difficulty and involving someone else to help me. This was the first time I had been out in a very, very long time and was a special occasion. I wouldn't mind as much but we did get ring in advance regarding my disability and get to the venue 45 minutes early to ensure which bar/toilets/ lifts to use etc so that the interval time would be used effectively and run smoothly and I couldn't even have a complaint actioned officially, in person at the venue. *addition We went to the show on 29th March 2025 It is now 8 April 2025, and I still haven't received a feedback email to make...

Love the Empire. Been here many times for plays, musicals, etc. Most recently for a ballet.

I would recommend going the toilet and getting drinks way before the start of whatever you're seeing. As the queues are always atrocious.

There's no point even trying to go the toilet and also the bar on the intermission so would suggest choosing one or the other or splitting up if you're a group. You can also pay in advance for intermission drinks which helps greatly.

The only reason I haven't gave a higher review despite all this is simply the etiquette in the theatre has severely declined in the last few years.

Multiple people around me were taking photos and videos during the ballet I went to most recently. One even was using flash. I tried to find an usher on the intermission to ask them to politely remind people to not use phones etc in the theatre but there were none to be found. With the intermission only being short I didn't want to spend the whole time searching for someone so decided to put up with it, but this meant I could see phones out of the corner of my eye when watching the performance which was quite distracting.

I would recommend circle over stalls, I do believe the view is actually better because of the staggered seating (and normally cheaper too!). It normally tells you this is limited view but honestly if you're sitting in the centre I don't find the view limited at all, and as an added bonus you can see the orchestra! Which is always nice 😊! Wouldn't recommend to anyone who struggle with steep heights etc though as it can be a bit freaky walking down the steps!

I do hope they have more ushers during the performance for the next time I go, I really dont want to have to ask people personally to put their phones away but it is very distracting. Seemed to be plenty of ushers before the performance began as there were many times they had to remind people not to put anything on the ledge of the circle. Hopefully this can extend to reminding people about phones, or even having someone say over the microphone, before the performance, that photos aren't permitted etc.

Sad that it has to be reminded though. I do believe theatre etiquette has declined since the pandemic and understand there's only so much that ushers can do, but hopefully they can take this on board.

Overall, I love the empire and will always return. Sad fellow audience members can't always give the respect...

We travelled from manchester to see Les miserables , the tickets bought by my sister for my partners birthday . The show itself was great with a good cast with some fabulous voices! The problem was that my sister bought the tickets for row BB 28/29 which was in the centre of the row directly behind the conductor , who was raised up above the orchestra, and right in our line of vision so we couldn't see any of the performance centre stage, Only the stage left and right areas were visible to us and I'm 6tf 2 inch tall . This wasn't helped by the fact that my partner who is 5ft 4 inch tall was sat behind a female version of the BFG ( which I know couldn't be helped ) so she saw very little of centre stage action and as my sister paid £67.50 per ticket we were a bit disappointed, but she hadn't been there before an neither had we, so wouldn't have known ! Point is really , can't the conductor be set a little lower so that people who are sat in the AA BB CC DD seats in the centre of those rows get a view of the action rather than the back of the conductor ! Would rather pay a lot less for the tickets and sit further back and see the whole show ! mustn't tell my sister though😒 ...yes Anne we had a lovely time and the...