Established in 1854 as a haven for noteworthy Victorians to host readings, lectures, and performances, St. George’s Hall stands as one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture worldwide. Through the ages, it has evolved to represent the beating heart of the city, where locals gather in moments of pride, celebration, and commiseration.
Ever wondered what life was like for a prisoner in 19th century Liverpool? The History Whisperer™ invites you to step back in time and experience the world through the eyes of two characters. Walk alongside Livie, a young girl hailing from an Irish family who, having recently fled famine, now finds herself dutifully trailing her brother as he stands on trial for the theft of a mere blanket. While the rich enjoyed banquets, balls, and concerts, the poor were held in cramped, prison cells and tried for petty crimes in the law courts below.
Delve deeper into the history of St. George’s Hall as you follow The Warder into a labyrinth of pipes, vaults, and shafts, revealing an expansive underground space rarely seen by the public. Explore the Engine Room, where the original heating and ventilation system, pioneering for its time, made St. George’s Hall the world’s first fully air-conditioned public building.
Experience what life was really like in Victorian Liverpool through a blend of immersive technologies, augmented reality, quizzes, and games.
Just like the city itself, our characters are brimming with heart, humour, emotion, and dreams. Join them as they lead you through the sights and sounds of prison life, embarking on an unforgettable journey through Liverpool’s social history.
Image credits: Staged Kaos and Ant Clausen Photography
Accessibility
The St George’s Hall Experience: The History Whisperer™ is a digital immersive programme which operates on allocated time slots. Please note:
- For the purposes of health and safety, we can only accept a maximum of two wheelchair users per time slot.
- Induction loops are available on Reception for visitors who require hearing aids
- All other Accessibility information can be found here.
Tickets
- Tickets for The St George’s Hall Experience: The History Whisperer™ are now available to purchase on this page and via Ticket Quarter
- Adult ticket prices are £9
- Concession ticket prices (applicable to students and over 65s) are £7
- Children ticket prices (under 16) are £5
- Family ticket prices for 2 adults and 2 children are £25
- Please note, all additional fees are already included within the above prices
- The St George’s Hall Experience: The History Whisperer™ is typically open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, but open days can vary with time to time to avoid event clashes.
- Please note: The History Whisperer operates every half an hour between 10am and 3pm. Visitors are advised to enter at least 10 minutes before their allotted time.
Buy Tickets
Additional Credit Information and Special Thanks…
Produced and Directed by
Rose Kay, Gazooky Studios
Cast
- Livie (on-screen): Maxine Koeck
- Livie (voice): Leah Gould
- Warder: Tim Lambert
- Jack (on-screen): Joshua Mcenaney
- Jack (Voice): Pete O’Keefe
- Nat: Jake Norton
- Judge: Nick Birkinshaw (on-screen)
- Judge (Voice): Tim Lambert
- Prisoner 1: Elissa Cooper
- Prisoner 2: Rose Kay
Gazooky Studios
- Screenplay: Rose Kay
- Performance Director: Philip Wood
- Production Assistant: Elissa Cooper
- Lead Developers: Armin Aghill, Daniel Szweda
- Concept Artist and Designer: Jamie Gregoire
- Set Designer: Hattie Lewington
- Filming Effects: Lauren Hira
- 2nd Camera: Sam Robson
Music in Mind
- Composer and Musical Director: John McHugh
- Violin 1: Kate Richardson
- Violin 2: Kate Marsden
- Viola: Rachel Jones
- Cello: Hilary Browning
CineTecture
Director of Cinematography, 1st Camera, Editor and VFX Artist:
Monika Koeck
CAVA | Centre of Architecture and the Visual Art
- Footage and Voices of If These Walls Could Talk
- Immersive Experience Consultant Richard Koeck
- Archival Research Jemma Street
- Volumetric 3D Character Dimension Studio
Immersive Interactive
Interactive hardware, sensors and maintenance provided by:
Chris Porter: Technical Director
David Salt: Software Installation Lead
Jack Taylor: Installation and commissioning
Special thanks to Jon Bradley.
Benison Sound
- Sound Engineer Steve Bennison
- Lighting Designer Adam Dennett
St George’s Hall
- Venue Operations Manager: Kate Melvin
- Head of Heritage Development & Preservation: Alan Smith
- Head of City Assets: Angie Redhead
- Facilities Manager: Tommy Hughes
- Tours Supervisor: Sean MacGregor
- Joiners: Kenny Ledger & Paddy Gerrard
- Hall Supervisors and Attendants: Neil Jackson, Mark Travis, Adam McVey, Tony Hutchinson
- Communications and Marketing Manager: Anna Quintal
With special thanks to Michael Stewart (Head Designer, Culture Liverpool), Caitlin Sullivan (Design Assistant), and Jess Cavendish (Digital Marketing Manager/Consultant, Visit Liverpool).
Archive images
- Middlesex House of Correction: male prisoners treading on the boards of a treadmill: in the foreground others sit resting. Wood engraving by W.B. Gardner, 1874, after M. Fitzgerald. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark.
- Male human head louse, FlickR, Magnus Manske, Jacopo Werther, creative commons attribution.
Prisoner photographs
‘National Museum of Justice’
Other images
Provided by Liverpool Record Office, Liverpool Libraries.
Funded by:
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Liverpool City Council
Special thanks to / supported by:
- CAVA | Centre for Architecture and the Visual Arts
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts