The theatre was briefly closed in the late nineties, but has now reopened and has become the venue for numerous acclaimed new productions of old plays, in contrast to its sister theatre, the Everyman Theatre, which has focused on new works.
The theatre was briefly closed in the late nineties, but reopened in 2000 under the management of Lverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust who also run its sister theatre, the Everyman. The Playhouse has become the venue for numerous acclaimed new productions mainly of old plays, in contrast to, the Everyman Theatre, which has focused on new works.