Pawn Stars UK Star Donates Historic Wartime Artefacts For Display At Epstein Theatre

The Epstein Theatre welcomed Pawn Stars UK star Mark Manning to the venue today who has generously donated significant war time artefacts which will be on display at the Hanover Street venue for a limited time this week.

To coincide with the return of Last Train To Auschwitz, the artefacts will be available for visitors to view from Thursday 21 - Sunday 24 September.

The historic pieces include remembrance arm bands to those who lost their lives in the Holocaust, as well as tapestries that were made by prisoners of the camps. Mark met with the shows cast and producers earlier today in which he presented them with the items.

After learning that the show was returning, the TV star and owner of Regal Pawn in Chester said: "I heard such moving things about the play when it was staged last, and when I saw that it was returning I got in touch with the producers.

"I have these pieces in my collection and thought that they would add an extra element to audience's experience and hopefully will instil an added sense of realness to the show."

Producer Joan Turner added: "We were delighted to meet Mark today and truly humbled by his sincere gesture and generosity.

This is such a powerful production which touches upon such an emotional experience and I think having these pieces on display will bring home to audiences even more so the impact that it had on people's lives, and still does even to this day."

Last Train to Auschwitz tells the story of a group of women's journey into hell. Their final destination is the notorious concentration camp Auschwitz.

The emotional narrative will be played out onstage by an incredible selection of Liverpool's top acting talent including award winning film actress, star of Ladybird Ladybird and ITV's Benidorm, Crissy Rock!

The full cast includes Brookside actress Bernie Foley; Lesley Butter and Saul Murphey both of Red Skies and Maggie Lynch of Sunset Boulevard and The King and I. Completing the stellar cast is Jodie Nesbitt Shaw (If The Shoe Fits), Katie Rose (Walking In The Rain), Lucy O'Neil and brother and sister Jordan and Libby Drinkwater-Burke (Red Skies).

Last Train to Auschwitz will take audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions; a journey of love, hope, and friendship that can never be defeated when people unite, a journey that won't be forgotten.

The arm bands and tapestries can be viewed at The Epstein Theatre from Thursday 21 - Sunday 24 September to coincide with the show.

After which, the pieces will then be offered on permanent loan to appropriate synagogues and museums so that they can be viewed by visitors who wish to remember those who lost their lives during the Second World War.

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk * or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 2pm - 6pm Monday - Thursday and 12pm-6pm Friday - Saturday.

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join our mailing list. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre and twitter @EpsteinTheatre.

The Epstein Theatre (formerly known as The Neptune) was originally opened as Crane's Music Hall in 1911, and was a popular location for recitals and performances. It was renamed Crane Theatre in 1938. In 1967 the theatre was purchased from the Cranes by Liverpool Corporation, who decided that the theatre should be run by local people for local people and was named The Neptune Theatre. The Neptune also became a Comedy Club and after many years of uncertainty about the future of the theatre, it eventually closed in 2005. In July 2011, a £1million refurbishment of the theatre was completed which saw the Hanover Street venue brought up to 21st century standards and renamed 'The Epstein Theatre' in honour of former Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who guided the Fab Four from popular cellar act to global superstardom. The management contract was up for tender and was won by the well-established team behind Liverpool's annual Sound City Music Festival. The Theatre was officially opened on Wed 9th May 2012. Now an independent company Epstein Theatre Ltd, the venue has grown to become of the key venues for arts and live entertainment in the city with a strong programme of comedy, plays, live music and children's productions. The venue can also be hired out for private functions, weddings and conferences.