A first glimpse was given today of a new £38m theatre which its backers said would regenerate the area and draw thousands of people to Prescot.
The finishing touches are now being made to the Shakespeare North Playhouse ahead of its opening to the public with a weekend of free festivities from July 15 to 17. The new venue, which was substantially built during the pandemic, features the only 17th-century style, timber-built "Cockpit" theatre outside London, able to seat a maximum of 450 spectators.
Performances will take place in candlelight to give an authentic Shakespearean experience for audiences. Those behind the scheme are confident they can attract enough people to the new theatre to make it viable. This includes offering tickets for as little as £3 for people living locally in Prescot.
READ MORE : First look inside Liverpool's newest £38m theatre with unique touch
Siobhan Noble, who is senior project producer, said: "The playhouse is going to revitalise the town. It will spark creativity for all local people. We want to reach out to them and make audiences feel at home here. Part of that involves treating Shakespeare like a new writer, but also talking to them, inviting them in, and listening to what they want to see so that they know this space is for them."
The playhouse has four main spaces: the main Cockpit theatre, the Studio for more intimate shows and performances, a learning room, and an outdoor performance garden funded by the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation.
There are also a number of art installations dotted around the building - including a display of 318 "money boxes", which was how money was collected in Shakespeare's time, and all created by local people.
Claire Will, who is director of marketing and commercial, said: "The Cockpit theatre will feel like stepping back in time. It's an exact replica of how a theatre would have looked in the 17th century, with no screws or nails used and hand-made with 60 tons of English oak. It's a real contrast to the rest of the building, which is so modern.
"We're here to tell stories, that's what Shakespeare was good at."
The first Shakespeare play to be performed at the theatre will be a modern take on A Midsummer Night's Dream at the end of September. All the shows will be co-productions, staged at the theatre but produced in partnership with theatre companies.
Melanie Lewis, chief executive of the playhouse, said: "We're using culture to drive social change. Seven million people live within an hour's travel from here. This is a playhouse for everyone - we're looking at the hyper-local and beyond to an international audience. “This space belongs to the people and it's time to welcome them in."
Cllr Graham Morgan, leader of Knowsley Council and the major investment partner in the project, said: "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."
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. Keir was the main contractor of the site.
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 Shakespeare himself.
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.
Gunman who ambushed Delta taxi driver wanted by police
OnlyFans model ditches £1m penthouse to live in a builders' van
2021 Census shows Merseyside areas among slowest growing in north west
Historic church put up for sale due to 'declining congregation'
