Shakespeare North Playhouse

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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Shakespeare North Playhouse

Mill Street, Prescot, L34 3AB
Image courtesy of Shakespeare North Trust.
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Shakespeare North Playhouse opened in July 2022 after almost two decades of planning. This iconic new theatre, education, outdoor performance garden and exhibition space in Merseyside has already made a big splash on the theatre scene – recently being awarded ‘Theatre Building of the Year’ at The Stage Awards 2023.

Occupying a space in Prescot, close to St Helens, the Shakespeare North Playhouse is a world-class cultural hub for the local area and an exciting new theatre for Liverpool and the North West. The venue works closely with its surrounding community while also supporting education and artist development.

With a stunning modern oak framed theatre – inspired by the cockpit-in-court design which was popular during Elizabethan times – the theatre has a capacity for between 320 and 470 seats. An inclusive and unique cultural and educational hub, the extraordinary building, spanning three levels, also houses a 60-capacity studio, a green room, classrooms and multi-use events spaces. With a digital gallery, an enclosed outdoor Performance Garden and a cafe/bar with access to a south-facing outdoor piazza, Shakespeare North Playhouse is a place to meet, a place to share and a place of inspiration.

The impressive building was a worthy winner at this year’s The Stage Awards. The external modern concrete building contrasts beautifully with the extraordinary timber framework of the theatre – giving the perfect balance of contemporary performance alongside wonderful Elizabethan heritage and architecture.

Audiences can expect to see a variety of groundbreaking drama, comedy, music and film on offer here from local, national and international artists and companies as well as community-driven projects, artist development programmes and new commissions.

Shakespeare North Playhouse is a sparkling gem in the North West’s crown and a key destination for theatre-makers and culture-seekers of all ages.

What's on near Shakespeare North Playhouse

Dan Coxon.
LiteratureLiverpool
Writing The Magic launch at Dead Ink Bookshop

Writing the Magic (Essays on Crafting Fantasy Fiction) is the fourth in Liverpool-based publisher Dead Ink Books’ award-winning series of guides, and this launch event hears from editor Dan Coxon.

From £5.00

Where to go near Shakespeare North Playhouse

Family 1
Liverpool
Park
Knowsley Safari Park

Have a wild adventure at the Knowsley Safari Park, and get up close to lions, rhinos, camels and more from the comfort of your car.

Knowsley
Tourist Attraction
Knowsley Hall

Situated on a private walled estate, Knowsley Hall has been in The Earl of Derby’s family for over 600 years and is usually reserved exclusively for private events and filming.

Alexandra Park, St. Helens

The 1960’s, grade II listed Alexandra Park is the former home of Pilkingtons Glass Head Quarters in St. Helens. 

St. Helens
Dream
at St Helens

Dream is a 20 metre high sculpture located on the former site of Sutton Manor Colliery in St Helens, designed by world-renowned and award-winning artist, Jaume Plensa.

library
Shop
The Reader, Calderstones Park

The Reader brings people together through a shared love of literature and their home is in the beautiful Calderstones Park in Liverpool.

family 3
Liverpool
Imagine That

Imagine That is a children’s play centre in Liverpool, with art, science and imagination zones to encourage creative fun and free play.

Culture Guides

Exhibitions in the North

Galleries around the North are gearing up for a new season of exhibitions - from iconic art prizes to smaller, artist-led gems.

Cinema in the North

This month we recommend a season of Film noir, cult Australian movies and a huge celebration of DIY community cinema.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

This season’s theatre is gloriously eclectic: from radical cabaret and reinvented classics to new musicals and boundary-pushing performance.

Wisp Press Image
Music in the North

From corrupted shoegaze to experimental electronica, post-hardcore to Indian classical, these are the shows that should be on your radar.