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[title]Whilst Manchester can boast some of the best theatres in the land and some top visitor attractions, one of the most important new cultural venues in the country has opened this week in Prescot, Liverpool.
Shakespeare North Playhouse is both a community hub and theatre space, inspired by the only purpose built indoor playhouse in the UK outside of London from back in the 1590s. Sometimes, new plays were performed there, written by some upstart called William Shakespeare. 500 odd years later, that relationship between the great writer and Liverpool is finally getting the celebration it warrants.
The theatre itself is a magnificant space seating 470 people within a beautiful timber framed auditorium, and there's an exhibition gallery, Studio and Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden. Dotted throughout are nods to the bard, and other literary giants, from playful quotes on the outside steps to small decorative touches, making sure Mr Shakespeare isn't ever too far from your mind.
Launching the venue and announcing the opening season, the team who brought the space to life already feel welcomed by the locals. Claire Will, formerly of Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre and now Director of Marketing and Commercial for Shakespeare North Playhouse, said:
‘There was a queue of people waiting to get in. I just walked through the café, buzzing with people. Someone stopped me to ask if I was ‘part of this’? He lives locally and said he walked into the Cockpit Theatre and cried. He can’t believe there is a theatre like this on his doorstep.’
Amongst the first productions to grace the stage will be some of Shakey's most popular wprks, including new productions of ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ but the venue isn't only about its namesake. There's space within the programme for new writing, evening's with - Jimmy McGovern and Johnny Vegas in this instance - and the big yuletide show, ‘A Christmas Carol’ with tickets starting at just £3.
And therein lies, if not the rub, an important element of this new venue, opening as it is during an economic crisis. There's a 'pay what you decide' option when you make a booking, reminding us that, back in the 1590s, Shakespeare was there for the hoi polloi as well, and genuinely encouraging attendance through sensible pricing and community engagement programmes.
Play on indeed.
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prospero Place, Prescot, L34 3AB www.shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk