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Liverpool's Royal Court theatre

Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre has been a landmark on the city's theatre scene since the pre-war years and as the theatre enters a new phase its looking for recollections of its 70 year history.

The project, Celebrate 70, is funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund and will explore and research the buildings fascinating history and rich cultural heritage.

"It's such an important part of Liverpool's culture," says Gillian Miller, Chief Executive of the Royal Court Trust.

"There’s lots of information that we've got but we want more and we also want people who worked in the building, and who came as an audience member to the building."

A nautical theme

The Royal Court site was purchased by a circus owner, John Cooke in 1826, originally named both Cookes New Circus and Cookes Royal Ampitheatre of the Arts it became the Royal Court in 1881 after a redesign by Henry Sumner.

The original building was destroyed by fire in 1933 and was replaced by the current Royal Court Theatre, which opened in October, 1938.

The art deco building became one of Liverpool's premier theatrical venues, the interior was designed with a nautical theme, the basement lounge is said to be based on the liner Queen Mary.

Over the years many famous names have stepped on to the Royal Court stage, including Richard Burton, Margot Fonteyn and John Gielgud.

The original theatre burnt down in 1933

Dame Judi Dench made her professional debut at the theatre playkng Orphelia in an Old Vic production of Hamlet in 1957

Liverpool's Ken Dodd once staged a four month run of his show The Ken Dodd Laughter Spectacular at the theatre.

"It’s been lots of different things, including a bingo hall," says Gillian Miller.

"We've got a fantastic book that somebody kept diligently up to the 1950s with lots of little press cuttings."

In the 1980s the theatre became a venue for rock and pop concerts playing host to a string of international artists including R.E.M., George Michael, David Bowie and a notorious appearance by the Beastie Boys.

More recently the theatre has returned to hosting stage productions particularly comedy.

The Celebrate 70 project is looking for people's personal recollections of performances at the theatre as well as any artefacts associated with the building, including programmes, "Anything we get we'll keep safe and return to people," Gillian Miller promises.

Memories can be left in a special glass box in ±«Óãtv Radio Merseyside reception on Hanover Street or at the Royal Court box office.