Shakespeare Theatre Honoured with Architectural Award
- News Room
- Oct 17, 2024
- 2 min read
A theatre in Merseyside has won a prestigious national architectural award.
The Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, along with Knowsley Council, received the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Client of the Year award. This award recognizes those who "champion innovation in architecture" and actively participate in the design process, inspiring the design team.
Opened in July 2022, the state-of-the-art theatre, which rivals London’s Globe, was praised as a "theatre for the people." Built on the site of a former council-owned car park, it cost £30 million and is the only historically accurate re-creation of an Elizabethan theatre.
Designed by Helm Architecture in London and Austin-Smith in Liverpool, with support from Knowsley Council, the building was hailed by RIBA judges as an "ambitious regeneration project" that showcases a strong "dedication to social purpose and local investment." The judges commended the architects and the council for creating a cultural and social space that has revitalised Prescot, a town with a rich theatrical history.
Prescot is believed to have been the site of the only purpose-built Elizabethan theatre outside London, constructed in 1593, with Shakespeare thought to have performed there.
Today, Shakespeare North hosts a range of productions that reinterpret the playwright’s works and encourage learning and experimentation. Recent shows include a 1990s-set adaptation of Love's Labour's Lost and an inclusive retelling of Romeo and Juliet, featuring deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent actors.
Knowsley Council leader, Graham Morgan, highlighted the focus on community, saying, "Our aim was always to deliver something accessible to all, with the local community at the heart of its development."
Shakespeare North and Knowsley Council outshone other finalists, including Derbyshire County Council’s Alfreton Park Community Special School, Belfast City Council’s Falls Community Council, and a Dorset accommodation complex for people with disabilities.
