When an internationally acclaimed performer returns to her roots, it’s more than a homecoming, it’s a cultural moment.
That’s exactly what’s happening as Emmy, BAFTA, Olivier, and Tony Award–winning Jodie Comer brings the final tour of Prima Facie to the Liverpool Playhouse in March 2026. The production’s arrival is more than a star returning home – it’s a shining success story for independent theatres and a powerful endorsement of Liverpool’s growing theatre landscape.
Prima Facie will take over the Liverpool Playhouse from 17 – 21 March 2026, offering Merseyside audiences one of the most celebrated theatrical performances of the decade right in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter.
This isn’t just any touring production. Prima Facie has earned rave reviews in London and New York, broken box office records, and won Comer the industry’s highest awards, including the Olivier and Tony for her performance. Bringing a show of this calibre to a venue like the Playhouse demonstrates the continued relevance and vibrancy of smaller, independent theatres in the UK.
What makes this run even more meaningful is Jodie Comer’s deep connection to the city she’s returning to. Comer, originally from Liverpool and raised in Childwall, has repeatedly expressed how much it means to bring Prima Facie home. In her own words, “I can’t think of a better finale to what has been such an incredible and deeply rewarding chapter in my life.”
Her Liverpool identity isn’t just a footnote, it’s part of her artistic story. She attended St Julie’s Catholic High School before rising to international acclaim, and her return to perform professionally in Liverpool marks a full‑circle moment for both her and the city’s creative community.
In recent years, independent and regional theatres have faced immense challenges, from funding cuts to post‑pandemic recovery. Yet the arrival of a high‑profile production like Prima Facie signals resilience and strength within the sector.
Bringing such a critically acclaimed, globally successful show to the Playhouse:
- Elevates the theatre’s national profile, placing Liverpool firmly on the touring map alongside major hubs like London, Dublin, and Edinburgh.
- Boosts local footfall and tourism, as audiences travel to see Comer’s limited‑run performance.
- Demonstrates trust in local infrastructure, showcasing that independent theatres can host large‑scale, award‑winning productions.
- Reinvests cultural capital locally, empowering Liverpool’s thriving arts scene.
Liverpool has long been a city of storytellers, performers, and cultural innovators. The success of Prima Facie arriving here enhances that legacy. The performance will not only attract national attention but also inspire local actors, writers, and creatives by proving that world‑class theatre doesn’t only happen in the West End.
Suzie Miller’s play, a gripping legal drama that dives into justice, gender, and power, has sparked conversations worldwide. Now, those conversations will happen here in Liverpool’s own artistic hubs, schools, and communities.
And because Comer is taking Prima Facie on a limited, “one last time” tour, Liverpool being part of that journey elevates the city’s cultural importance even more.
As Jodie Comer steps onto the Liverpool Playhouse stage, she brings with her not just a powerful story, but also a message of pride; pride in her roots, pride in regional theatre, and pride in the community that helped shape her.
Her return is a testament to how far the city’s theatre scene has come, and a reminder of the vital role independent venues play in nurturing talent and delivering world‑class experiences.
Liverpool isn’t just hosting Prima Facie – it’s welcoming it home.
By Rachel Doherty, Culture Liverpool.
