Got a question? Start here.
The things visiting companies ask us most often, with straight answers.
Backstage is where you send the venue everything we need from you for your run (box office, contract, risk assessment, tech rider and insurance), and where you can see what's still outstanding. It's designed to be quick. Here's the tour.
The bar at the top of every page
That strip with the five chips (Box office, Contract, Risk assessment, Tech rider, Insurance) is your to-do list for this production.
- Grey chip: not yet submitted. Tap it to open the form.
- Green chip with a tick: we've got it. Hover (or tap on mobile) to see the date you sent it.
- The count on the right tells you how many of the five are done.
Signing in
Use your production reference (it looks like PROJ followed by a few digits, e.g. PROJ1234) and the password you set the first time you signed in. The reference is on every email we send you about your show. Forgotten your password? Email the Theatre Manager and we'll reset it.
Sending paperwork
- From the dashboard, tap the chip for what you want to send (or pick the form from the left-hand menu).
- Pick your file (PDF, Word or JPG, up to 50 MB). You'll see the file name and size confirmed, with a Remove link if you change your mind.
- Tap Send. The button says “Sending…” while it works, so please don't refresh the page.
- You'll land on a green tick page confirming it's in. From there, the Next: button takes you straight to the next thing on your list.
Box office set-up
The only form that asks for typed answers rather than a file. Your prices, show description, social links and so on. As you type, we auto-save your draft every second, so if your phone rings and you close the tab, your work is still there when you come back. Use the pricing assistant at the top to play with prices before you commit.
If something goes wrong
If a submission fails we'll always tell you what to do next in plain English, never just an error code. Your file uploads are saved with us either way, so nothing is lost. If you're stuck, the “Need help?” button at the top-right of every page brings you back to this hub.
Talking to a real person
Anything urgent, weird or just easier on the phone: ring the Theatre Manager directly. The box office team (0344 561 0622, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm) can also help with ticket questions. Email addresses are on the Meet the team page.
How much will it cost?
£360 per performance, all-inclusive of venue, technician and Front of House Manager. From every ticket sold there's a £1.50 venue levy and a small TicketQuarter booking fee — the rest goes to you. See a worked example →
When do we get into the theatre?
For a 3-show run, get-in is 5–9 pm the day before with a free 4-hour tech rehearsal. On show days you have access from 4 pm (first show) or 6 pm (subsequent). Full schedules →
When do we get paid?
A reconciliation report within 14 days of your final performance, with payment by BACS within 14–28 days. We deduct hire fees and any PRS/PPL where applicable; the balance comes to you.
What absolutely can't we do?
No pyrotechnics, no naked or open flame, no real firearms, no smoke effects. No exceptions, even if you've used them elsewhere. Theatrical weapons must be blunted and notified. More on what's allowed →
What paperwork do you need from us?
A signed contract, a risk assessment (at least 7 days before your first show), an insurance certificate, your box office set-up and your tech rider. The dashboard shows your live to-do list. When each is due →
Can you help with marketing?
We list you on our website and on TicketQuarter, and re-share your social posts. Your core marketing campaign is yours to run. The Marketing Hub has the brand pack, templates and the Liverpool press list. Open the Marketing Hub →
The fees
| £360.00 | Flat hire fee per performance — includes one Technician and a Front of House Manager. |
| £1.50 | Flat venue levy per ticket sold (deducted from face value). |
| £0.75 | TQ booking fee — tickets up to £10. |
| £1.00 | TQ booking fee — tickets £10.01 to £13. |
| 10% | TQ booking fee — tickets £13.01 and over. |
| FREE | First 4-hour tech rehearsal for runs of 3 or more performances. Otherwise £150. |
| £45/hr | Extra venue access outside contracted hours. |
A worked example
Three-show run, tickets at £12.00, sold to 60% capacity (51 seats per show).
| Gross sales | 153 tickets × £12.00 | £1,836.00 |
| Less TQ fee (£1.00 per ticket) | 153 × £1.00 | − £153.00 |
| Less venue levy (£1.50 per ticket) | 153 × £1.50 | − £229.50 |
| Less venue hire | 3 × £360 | − £1,080.00 |
| Net to you | £373.50 |
Drag the sliders to model your run.
For touring productions we aim to accommodate same-day tech — ask us.
Sunday or Monday
- Sun 4:00 pm — access & get-in
- Sun evening — performance 1
- Sun 10:30 pm — get-out & clear
Want a 4-hour tech the day before? Add £150.
Wednesday to Saturday
- Wed 5–9 pm — get-in & tech
- Thu 4 pm — access · performance 1
- Fri/Sat 6 pm — performances 2 & 3
4-hour tech rehearsal included free.
Prohibited — no exceptions
- Pyrotechnics — none, ever.
- Naked or open flame — none.
- Real firearms — none. Theatrical weapons must be blunted and notified.
- Smoke effects — not permitted (haze is, with notification).
- Cooking, hot food or hot liquids on stage — not permitted.
- Substances projected at the audience (water, foam, etc.) — not permitted.
- Animals on stage — not permitted.
- Smoking or vaping — not permitted anywhere in the building.
Allowed, but tell the HST Technician on first call
- Theatrical weapons — agree storage and on-stage procedures.
- Haze effects — signage at venue entry.
- Strobe / intense lighting — signage at venue entry.
- Audience participation involving stage access.
- Fights, stunts or held lifts — fight director or qualified equivalent must be named.
- Child performers — Child Performance Licences and licensed chaperones required.
Your dashboard shows your live to-do list with green ticks for everything you've sent. Here's when each one needs to be in.
-
1
Right away
Signed contract
Sign and upload via the Signed contract tile. Activity can't begin without it.
Upload signed contract → -
2
Right away
Box office set-up
Get tickets on sale. Pricing tiers, show description, social links and contact details for the box office team. You don't need to have uploaded your contract first.
Set up box office → -
3
1 week ahead
Risk assessment
Required by your Hire Agreement. Use our RA generator to build one in the browser, or upload your own.
Upload risk assessment → -
4
1 week ahead
Insurance certificate
Public Liability minimum £5m, Employers' Liability minimum £10m where applicable.
Upload insurance certificate → -
5
Weeks ahead
Technical rider
Tech rider, lighting cue sheet or sound requirements — whatever you have. Goes straight to the venue technicians.
Upload tech rider →
Required of every visiting company. Certificates due to the Theatre Manager at least 7 days before the first performance.
Public Liability
Minimum £5,000,000. Covers claims for third-party injury or property damage due to your negligence. The venue's policy doesn't cover you — you need your own.
Employers' Liability
Minimum £10,000,000. Required by law if you're deemed to employ anyone, including freelances, volunteers and unpaid actors under your direction.
Specialist theatre brokers
Encore Insurance
Short-period or annual cover. Policies from £80.
encoreinsure.com ↗
First Act Insurance
Theatre insurance brokers.
firstact.co.uk ↗
Performers Insurance
Specialist Performing Arts brokers.
performersinsurance.com ↗
The Hope Street Theatre does not endorse or recommend any broker. Equity members may have appropriate cover already — check with Equity or the broker.
Always check rights availability before you announce the show — ideally before you start rehearsals. Get permission in writing and keep records.
Plays in copyright
Get permission from the playwright or licensing agent (Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service, Nick Hern Books, etc.). Terms and costs vary — handle this early.
Musicals (complete works)
Negotiated directly with the rights holder or via Music Theatre International / Theatrical Rights Worldwide. More complex than play rights — start very early.
Music in your show
PRS for Music covers live and recorded music; deducted from final ticket sales by us, where applicable. PPL covers the recording itself — the venue pays the PPL licence on your behalf.
Original work
Your own writing or music: no rights to negotiate, no fees. Full control.
How many people does the theatre seat?
85 people, configured End-On. We don't offer alternative configurations.
Is there a minimum run length?
No. Many shows do 3 performances (our most popular package) but some do more and some less.
How far ahead do you programme?
6–12 months ahead. Sometimes we have last-minute availability — worth checking the live calendar.
What types of shows do you accept?
No restrictions on type. We welcome contemporary plays, classics, reimagined classics, new writing, musicals, new musicals and touring shows.
Can we get a tech spec?
Yes — request it here and we'll email it to you shortly. Confirm your details on the next screen.
Can we hold tickets back for press and cast comps?
Yes. You have full control over your allocation. When we set up your box office we'll give you codes for complimentary and press tickets.
Can I split the box office instead of paying a flat fee?
No — we operate strictly on a flat-fee hire basis. This protects artists: if your show sells well, you keep the vast majority of the profits.
How do we get set, props and costumes in and out?
Through the front doors of the building. Nothing in before day one of your hire (the theatre is in use during the day for classes and rehearsals), nothing left overnight after your final performance.
Can we use children in the production?
Yes — provided you're either exempt from or have the appropriate licences from the local education authority. You'll also need local-authority licensed chaperones, and DBS records for personnel in regulated activity.
Can we rehearse in the theatre?
Outside your show days, the theatre may be hired for a technical day. Not for rehearsal time when another production is in or when the theatre is undergoing maintenance. For rehearsal space, see Hope Street Studios (linked from the dashboard).
Can we change show details after submitting box-office set-up?
Yes — email team@ticketquarter.co.uk and copy in theatremanager@hopestreettheatre.com. Make changes as early as possible to avoid confusion for ticket holders.
What happens if our performer is ill / we need to cancel a performance?
Contact the Theatre Manager immediately. We'll work with TicketQuarter on refunds or ticket exchanges. Cancellation terms are in your Hire Agreement.
What if our show doesn't sell?
The £360 hire fee is owed regardless of attendance — that's the trade-off for keeping the lion's share of the takings when a show does sell. Plan your budget conservatively and price competitively.