Bost celebrates 100 years with new Liverpool Playhouse residency

BOST Musicals has announced a new five-year residency at the Liverpool Playhouse as part of its centenary celebrations.

The long-running organisation, founded as the Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust in 1926, will stage three shows at the Liverpool Playhouse between now and 2030.

The inaugural production, Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, is set to be performed at the historic Williamson Square theatre on June 5-6.

Directed and choreographed by James Lacey, the spectacular musical has a cast of 40 and a 15-piece live orchestra. The tribute to the golden age of American vaudeville features numbers including Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here and Losing My Mind.

Lacey says: “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.”

Since it was founded 100 years ago, BOST has staged more than 150 musicals and concerts at venues including the Floral Pavilion, Liverpool’s Royal Court, Philharmonic Hall and, since the late 1960s, regularly at the Liverpool Empire. One of its driving forces over many years was the late Elsie Kelly.

Above: The late Elsie Kelly with the cast of BOST's Oliver! in 1974. Top: Principal cast members from Follies. Photos courtesy of BOST.

Last year BOST Musicals was involved in the first amateur production of Les Mis staged in the North West, playing to more than 9,000 people at the Empire and receiving five-star reviews.

The company will return to the Lime Street theatre in November with Elf the Musical.

BOST Musicals president Meryl Langford says: “I’m immensely proud of what we’ve 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.”

Follies is at the Liverpool Playhouse on June 5-6. Tickets HERE