THE first stage of onsite works for the Shakespeare North playhouse has been completed as the multi-million pound facility moves a step closer.

The Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot will be one of the north of England’s most high profile and cultural and educational developments.

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The development celebrates Prescot's connections to William Shakespeare and build on the evidence that suggests Shakespeare’s earliest plays were performed in the area.

The town was home to one of only a handful of standing theatres outside London in the 16th century.

There is a possibility the Bard himself may have visited the theatre on a trip with the Earl of Derby.

The first stage of construction of the project has been completed, which has involved a period of intensive on-site enabling works including piling, drainage and excavation works preparing the site for the main construction.

Work is now continuing off site, with the fabrication of the historic timber framed theatre, which is said to be the "jewel in the crown" of the Playhouse.

The timber framed theatre is being manufactured by Peter McCurdy, a renowned creator of historic theatres, including the outdoor Globe theatre and indoor Sam Wanamaker theatre, both famous international attractions in London.

The new 350-seat theatre at the core of the Shakespeare North Playhouse will be modelled on the Inigo Jones cockpit-in-court masterpiece of the 17th Century. This exceptional space will host a variety of comedy, music and theatrical performances from a wide range of performers.

Cllr Graham Morgan, leader of Knowsley Council, said: “We’ve had a really busy period of substantial and essential enabling works on the site of the Playhouse in Prescot. The enabling work is critical as it gave us the opportunity to get an early start on-site in advance of the award of the main construction contract for this amazing new theatre, cultural and education facility to really come to life.”

The Playhouse was funded as Knowsley Council initially contributed £6m which led to the government contributing £5m. The council have also worked closely with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority who contributed £6.5m in May 2018. The council then invested a further £6.2m with the Combined Authority also contributing a further £4.05 million from its Strategic Investment Fund, taking the Combined Authority’s total investment in the project to £10.55m.

The Combined Authority has also approved an £8m investment in major upgrades to Prescot train station and transport connections in the town centre.

This will increase capacity for people travelling to and from the Playhouse and provide a welcoming visitor experience to the town.

Further funding will be addressed by targeted philanthropic appeals and a capital fundraising charity is also in place, with independent consultants to make bids to trusts, foundations and other grant providers.

Next steps

Further enabling works will continue on site during September and October as the next phase of drainage works is completed.

Knowsley Council will consider the award of the main works contract at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, November 20. Following endorsement from Cabinet, Kier Construction Ltd will start the main construction works, which will bring the Shakespeare North Playhouse out of the ground.