Historic Liverpool venue 'Matcham Experience' puts the spook into theatre architecture

Staged in the historic, 120-year-old Liverpool Olympia Theatre, where legendary figures from Harry Houdini to the Beatles once performed, The Matcham Experience is an immersive spectacle coming in the spring (April 2-5, 2026).

The haunting ghost story aims to unsettle, disturb and linger with audiences long after the curtain falls; its creators promise a tale of a forgotten presence, said to move through the Olympia’s corridors, awakening whenever the theatre’s past is disturbed.

Staged by the creators of Chorley's award-winning Scare City Experience, the new Matcham Experience is set inside the historic Grade II* listed Olympia, currently celebrating its 120th anniversary.

The production pays homage to Frank Matcham, the visionary architect who designed more than 90 playhouses - including the Olympia, which opened in April 1905 as an indoor circus and variety theatre holding up to 4,000 people.

The show is produced by Mike Stuart, consultant in theatrical illusion for the Scare City Experience, whose 11 years of experience in immersive theatre includes Circo’s Excentrico in 2014; Sir Ken Dodd’s final children’s show at Liverpool Cathedral; the Light Night festival, and Liverpool’s Christmas Dinner shows at the Town Hall.

Mike said: “The Matcham Experience is about stepping into a world that feels alive, unsettling and impossible to predict. It’s theatre you don’t just watch but find yourself inside. We look forward to welcoming audiences.”

Olympia managing director Chris Zorba added: “The Matcham Experience will be a spectacular and fitting finale to the Olympia's 120th year. It will bring a modern experience while paying homage to the history of the iconic venue and its architect, Frank Matcham."

More info and tickets here