Skip to content
Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • Registration
  • Login
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • Registration
  • Login
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • Everyman & Playhouse
    • FunnyBoyz Liverpool
    • The Bentley Liverpool
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Liverpool Watersports Centre
    • Strawberry Field
    • Best Liverpool Restaurants
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events Latest
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
    • A Tale of the Liver Birds
  • TRAVEL
    • Liverpool Airport
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE
Menu
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • Everyman & Playhouse
    • FunnyBoyz Liverpool
    • The Bentley Liverpool
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Liverpool Watersports Centre
    • Strawberry Field
    • Best Liverpool Restaurants
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events Latest
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
    • A Tale of the Liver Birds
  • TRAVEL
    • Liverpool Airport
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE
Search
Close this search box.

First look inside new Shakespeare North Playhouse

September 21, 2022
|
by Editor
First look inside new Shakespeare North Playhouse

Prior to its official opening in July, new pictures have shown the interior of the new Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot.

The ground-breaking new venue is home to the only 450-seat “Cockpit” theatre designed in the manner of the 17th century outside of London. The new facility, which was totally constructed during the pandemic with the help of public finances and donations, is expected to draw more than 140,000 tourists to the region each year. 

First look inside new Shakespeare North Playhouse

The new venue will open its doors to the public with a joyful weekend of free festivities from July 15-17, forming a key part of Knowsley’s Borough of Culture celebrations.

Housed inside this modern, energy-efficient building, the venue is also home to a fully-accessible outdoor performance garden funded by the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation, exhibition gallery, 60-seater studio theatre, learning centre, events spaces, and a café and bar with outdoor piazza.

Melanie Lewis, chief executive of the Shakespeare North Playhouse, said:

“Revealing the building is wonderful. It’s a culmination of more than a decade of work by so many people, and yet in many ways this is just the start. Experiencing the building again but through the senses of our audience and our community will be a joy. I’m feeling their excitement and curiosity. It’s a privilege.

“The entire building is a work of art in its own right, but what I am most excited about is how people will use it; how they will be welcomed and feel safe; how they will be inspired by Shakespeare, the physical space, and the people. Most importantly, however, I am eager to see how people will explore their creativity here, be they seasoned performers, upcoming artists, or people exploring theatre for the first time.

“This space belongs to the people and it’s time to welcome them in.”

First look inside new Shakespeare North Playhouse

Cllr Graham Morgan, leader of Knowsley Council, the major investment partner in the project, said:

“I couldn’t be more excited or prouder to be able to share these images and for people to get their first glimpse inside this remarkable building. Delivering a world class cultural venue for the people of Knowsley has been a long-held dream of the council and to see the Shakespeare North Playhouse almost ready to open its doors is a very special thing.

“The opening of the building is such a significant moment in Knowsley’s history and something that could not have been achieved without the determination and effort of so many people who have been involved in the project for more than a decade. I offer my thanks to everyone who has made this happen.

“I cannot wait for people to finally be able to explore the space and experience the Shakespeare North Playhouse for themselves in just a matter of weeks.”

Shakespeare North Playhouse is inspired by Prescot’s historic connections to William Shakespeare and a love of storytelling. In the 1590s, a remarkable theatre stood in the town and hosted performances made possible by the Earl of Derby, resident at Knowsley Hall. It is thought that it was the only purpose-built indoor playhouse outside of London, and players brought with them new shows from a certain popular playwright of the day… William Shakespeare.

Kicking off events from 6pm on Friday, July 15, All the Joy That You Can Wish will be a glorious ceremony of ‘local heroes’ including the builders who helped construct the venue, and Prescot Cables FC players, who will gather outside the theatre for a ceremony to celebrate the opening, as well as the heritage and community of Prescot.

Events continue with a weekend of Open Up performances on July 16 and 17, curated by inspirational Prescot-born playwright, actor and community champion Ashleigh Nugent, acclaimed Artist of the Year in the 2021 Liverpool City Region Culture & Creativity Awards.

Open Up will also be the first chance for the public to experience tours of the “Cockpit” theatre.

Highlights of the venue’s spectacular opening season include a modern take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Christmas Carol, and ‘Evenings with’ St Helens’ comedian Johnny Vegas, and acclaimed Liverpool playwright, Jimmy McGovern.

The venue will also host a programme of regular family and community activities and events during the opening season. This will include pre-school music, storytelling and spoken word sessions, monthly open mic nights for beginners and experienced performers, craft, heritage, art and writing workshops for families, local school children and adults.

In support of the Playhouse’s commitment to the local community and access to the arts, a proportion of tickets will be available on a ‘Pay What You Decide’ basis, with some reserved for Knowsley residents.

Funding for the project came from Knowsley Council (£12.2m), Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (£10.5m), the Treasury via Arts Council England (£5m), plus £3m from the Government’s Covid-19 Cultural Recovery Fund. Another £1m+ has come from private and philanthropic donations including the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation and The Foyle Foundation. A further £8m is being provided by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in order to improve the local transport infrastructure.

READ MORE: Shakespeare North Playhouse unveils opening programme

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

THE LATEST

Nelson Mandela Memorial to be unveiled in Liverpool
Nelson Mandela Memorial to be unveiled in Liverpool
Liverpool City Region to Host KyivPride March on behalf of Ukraine
Liverpool City Region to Host KyivPride March on behalf of Ukraine
Matsuri Records is to open in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle
Matsuri Records is to open in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle
Splash World Southport announces the return of inclusive nights
Splash World Southport announces the return of inclusive nights
Performers wanted for the Liverpool City Region’s public art project this summer!
Performers wanted for the Liverpool City Region’s public art project this summer!
Dot Hair salon in Liverpool shortlisted for national business award
Dot Hair salon in Liverpool shortlisted for national business award
Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen & Bar unveils stunning summer terrace
Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen & Bar unveils stunning summer terrace
leveltap launches at Liverpool ONE
leveltap launches at Liverpool ONE
Daisy Inclusive UK receives plaudits from Government Minister
Daisy Inclusive UK receives plaudits from Government Minister
Big Dunc vs Stevie G: The Scouser wins the battle between the old foes
The nightmare is finally over- Everton stay up on the last day of the Premier League season

WhatsAppenin LIVERPOOL!

Receive WhatsApp notifications about the latest big news, events, offers, competitions and much more!

SIGN UP NOW

Stay in the loop

Stay up to date with all the latest news, articles, events, and offers from across Liverpool!

We never share your information with anyone.

OTHER LINKS

  • Liverpool Maps
  • FAQs
  • Privacy Policy

SUB LINKS

  • About Us
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

DIRECTORY LINKS

  • Business Login
  • Register
  • View Directory

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin

At Explore Liverpool we are all about bringing you everything the Liverpool City Region has to offer and more!

© 2023 Explore Liverpool

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Manage Cookie Consent
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show personalised ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}

Explore Liverpool With Us!

Don't miss a thing. Sign up for our weekly roundup straight to your inbox! 🙌

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!