Prescot's Shakespeare North Playhouse is being praised by locals as “brilliant” and “good for the town” as it celebrates four years since opening in 2022. The theatre has hosted Shakespearean classics like Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream, along with modern plays, comedy, and musicals. It also offers baby story sessions, sensory play, reading groups, a 'chatty café', school workshops, adult acting classes, and courses for care-experienced young people and prisoners.
Historic and Modern Significance
Shakespeare North draws on Prescot's connections to William Shakespeare, who is thought to have written A Midsummer Night's Dream for the earl of Derby's son's wedding. From the mid-1590s to 1609, Prescot had a purpose-built Jacobean theatre, one of few outside London. The playhouse's main space, the Cockpit, was hand-built from 60 tonnes of English oak to recreate that atmosphere.
Economic and Social Impact
An independent evaluation this year found the playhouse attracts around 100,000 visitors annually and generates £12.4m in visitor expenditure across the city region. Locals shared views with the ECHO. Joan Jones, 73, said: “I like it. The only thing is, you need to take a cushion for the seats. I think it’s a good thing for Prescot.” Susan Baxter, 73, said she often goes for coffee and has seen shows there. Sharon Melia, 56, hasn't yet been but said: “I think it’s brilliant. It brings people together. It’s good for the community.”
Dan Rose, 29, who runs the Buttered Crumpet café, said: “It’s good all round if it brings people into Prescot.” He noted it brings visibility for businesses. Sam Briggs, 40, visited with his son for a show, saying: “It was really, really good.” Sylvia Malone, 73, who saw a modern take on Shakespeare, said: “It attracts people and people spend money, so it’s good for the town.” Natalia Hillier, 34, from Poco Bar and Café, said people come in for coffee before shows. Natt Pokaew, 28, from Thai Route restaurant, echoed that theatregoers visit before and after performances.
Achievements and Future Plans
At a Knowsley Council meeting, CEO Lisa Allen and executive director Claire Will reported that in four years, the theatre sold 183,000 tickets and won 38 awards. 10% of audiences had never been to the theatre before. Some 20,000 people from priority postcodes accessed tickets for as little as £3 via the Pay What You Decide scheme. Ms Allen said: “We’re always going to produce Shakespeare, and we produce brilliant and bold productions of Shakespeare, but that’s not all we do, because Shakespeare is not for everybody.” She added: “Shakespeare North is not just a theatre; it’s a civic hub, it’s a community centre.” The theatre is exploring creating an immersive museum experience downstairs to boost daytime footfall.
Steph Green, head of engagement, said: “The playhouse is in a really exciting place at the moment.” She noted that Knowsley often had negative narratives, but the theatre says communities matter. She added: “We want to be a national institution as well.” Regarding Cockpit seat comfort, the theatre is launching a 'Find Your Seat' campaign to improve the experience.
Max Steinberg, chair of the Shakespeare North Trust, said: “I’ve been delighted by the feedback I’ve received from the community that there’s something for everyone at Shakespeare North.” He noted over £50m in investment in Prescot since 2020 and that “the regeneration of the high street and beyond is now very visible.” The theatre is preparing for a traditional production of Macbeth by Ben Crystal.
