Opposite Liverpool’s Empire Theatre, on the plaza in front of St George’s Hall, a Christmas market has installed itself for the festive season. Faux-chocolate box wooden chalets attempt an old-school Alpine vibe, which is competing valiantly for supremacy with an outsized, neon-lit Ferris wheel and an over-enthusiastic PA system with a penchant for Tina Turner’s Proud Mary. Inside the theatre, however, there is no doubting that Christmas Past has won the day over Christmas Present, at least for the next few days.