BOST Musicals marks its centenary year by announcing two unprecedented productions and a new 5-year theatre residency.
Established 100 years ago by a group of local church choir enthusiasts, the Birkenhead-based musical theatre society is celebrating its centenary by announcing a series of new productions to add to its hugely successful repertoire, having performed Shrek the Musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Annie and Les Misérables in recent years.
The society’s first official performance in 1926 was a two night run of In The Days Of Good Queen Bess. Fast forward ten decades, and BOST Musicals has grown into one of the Liverpool City Region’s most respected musical theatre companies, most recently performing to over 9,000 people during their sell-out run of ‘Les Misérables’ at the Liverpool Empire theatre in July 2025.
With over 150 musicals and concerts under its belt, performed at prominent venues including Liverpool’s Royal Court theatre and Philharmonic Hall, to the Lowry in Salford Quays and the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton, the award-winning company is marking its centenary milestone by embarking on a new 5-year residency with another renowned north west theatre.
BOST Musicals’ inaugural production at the Liverpool Playhouse will be Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, taking place between 5-6th June. Featuring a 40-strong cast of local performers, iconic musical anthems (including Broadway Baby, Losing My Mind, I’m Still Here), over 100 spectacular costumes, wigs and headdresses, plus a 15-piece live orchestra, this production will be a glorious tribute to the golden-age of American Vaudeville.
James Lacey, Director and Choreographer at BOST Musicals, said:
“Follies is all about nostalgia and glorifying the glamorous past of the American tradition of variety theatre, which makes it both the perfect show for celebrating our centenary, and for our inaugural production at the Playhouse, itself an original music hall and the north west’s oldest working theatre.
“Our incredible cast and technical company are so excited to be bringing this exciting rarely-performed musical into the heart of the city, to kick off our 100th year with glitz, glamour and all the guts of this iconic Stephen Sondheim masterpiece.”
In November 2026, BOST Musicals will be staging another first – this time at the Liverpool Empire theatre – with their ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley’ production of Elf The Musical. The heartwarming, family-friendly stage adaptation of the beloved holiday film, has already proved popular at the box office, with over 4,000 tickets already sold with six months still to go.
Meryl Langford, President of BOST Musicals, added:
“I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved over the past 100 years, bringing such a high standard of musical entertainment to audiences across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
“A large part of this must be credited to our beloved Elsie Kelly, who so sadly passed away recently. Elsie was BOST’s Director for over 40 years and her meticulous eye for detail, natural talent, and deep rooted passion for theatre resulted in a truly unique legacy, which will remain integral to BOST’s future. We will all be forever thankful for her dedication, coaching, and friendship.
“Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a momentous year, and I hope that the society continues to go from strength to strength over the next 100 years!”
To book tickets for Follies (5-6th June at Liverpool Playhouse), please click here. Use code: FOLLIES20 for a 20% discount.
To book tickets for Elf The Musical (19-22nd November at Liverpool Empire), please click here.
To find out more about BOST Musicals, please click here.
Categories: Theatre & Performance
