Great article, and I wish everyone involved with the project every success. HOWEVER (and there always has to be one of those somewhere along the line) They are going to have kick a few 12th night characters (DYSWIDT)* if they are going to rely on patrons from outisde Knowsley or those who don't own a car. My wife had to go to Prescott earlier in the week for a job interview, and she said that while the theatre is very impressive, and she's looking forward to seeing a few plays away from Stratford, Knowsley Council, Mersytravel, Northern Rail and Liverpool City Region will need to get together and up their game, because public transport serving the area at the moment, is probably even worse than back in the Bard's time! There is only ONE train an hour which serves Prescott. So while, they quite rightly congratulate themselves on the achievement of opening the Theatre, unless they do something to attract people from outside the immediate Prescott/Widnes/Halewood region, it is doomed to be nothing more than an elaborate,very expensive Community Project. But like I said, I do wish it well and hope it's a success
*(Did You See What I Did There), I actually had to watch & stp & think as I was typing those letters out :-D
"High church and Home Bargains side by side." You may not have been the most diligent A level literature student, Jack, but you can certainly turn a good phrase.
A good article but I have to take a little umbrage at the idea that the Playhouse alone is the major force of regeneration in Prescot. For the last 7 years there has been an ongoing investment in restoration of traditional shops and buildings to create new retail and residential opportunities as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative. Knowsley Council to their credit have been acutely aware of how Prescot needed to build up its supporting economy before the theatre opens.
Just subscribed and searched to see what coverage the theatre had received. It's been an absolute joy to attend the plays. I look for the 'pay what you decide' tickets and for under £20 a family of 4 can give something new a try. My 12yo son who is usually glued to his Xbox has thoroughly enjoyed or experimentation with theatre - we saw Strange Tale and A Christmas Carol twice (at his request) and we were there for Comedy of Errors this weekend and he asked if I'd booked for Macbeth in Sept (of course I have, son!). It's made theatre accessible and taken any fear-factor out of Shakespeare for the kids (and husband saw first Shakespeare last year too, and loved it).
Liverpool, London, Bath, Stratford, Dumfries, the list is endless. I have been drawn to many places throughout the UK to visit and learn about their cultural heritage. My visits support their local economies (hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, museums even petrol stations!) and for me, the best part about Shakespeare North is that it is at the top of my road, in my own, fabulous little town. If the new theatre space brings an injection of wealth, visitors and culture, to the local economy along with entertainment and fun, bring it on! Anyone got a blue plaque handy?
Thank you for an informative and chirpy article. I'm going to Shakespeare North to see a performance of "Kitty, Queen of the Wash House" next week. I look forward to having a good old mooch about the theatre and the town.
Great article, and I wish everyone involved with the project every success. HOWEVER (and there always has to be one of those somewhere along the line) They are going to have kick a few 12th night characters (DYSWIDT)* if they are going to rely on patrons from outisde Knowsley or those who don't own a car. My wife had to go to Prescott earlier in the week for a job interview, and she said that while the theatre is very impressive, and she's looking forward to seeing a few plays away from Stratford, Knowsley Council, Mersytravel, Northern Rail and Liverpool City Region will need to get together and up their game, because public transport serving the area at the moment, is probably even worse than back in the Bard's time! There is only ONE train an hour which serves Prescott. So while, they quite rightly congratulate themselves on the achievement of opening the Theatre, unless they do something to attract people from outside the immediate Prescott/Widnes/Halewood region, it is doomed to be nothing more than an elaborate,very expensive Community Project. But like I said, I do wish it well and hope it's a success
*(Did You See What I Did There), I actually had to watch & stp & think as I was typing those letters out :-D
"High church and Home Bargains side by side." You may not have been the most diligent A level literature student, Jack, but you can certainly turn a good phrase.
A good article but I have to take a little umbrage at the idea that the Playhouse alone is the major force of regeneration in Prescot. For the last 7 years there has been an ongoing investment in restoration of traditional shops and buildings to create new retail and residential opportunities as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative. Knowsley Council to their credit have been acutely aware of how Prescot needed to build up its supporting economy before the theatre opens.
http://www.prescotthi.org.uk/blog/post.php?s=2018-02-02-prescot-thi-1000000-investedthis-is-how-far-weve-come
Just subscribed and searched to see what coverage the theatre had received. It's been an absolute joy to attend the plays. I look for the 'pay what you decide' tickets and for under £20 a family of 4 can give something new a try. My 12yo son who is usually glued to his Xbox has thoroughly enjoyed or experimentation with theatre - we saw Strange Tale and A Christmas Carol twice (at his request) and we were there for Comedy of Errors this weekend and he asked if I'd booked for Macbeth in Sept (of course I have, son!). It's made theatre accessible and taken any fear-factor out of Shakespeare for the kids (and husband saw first Shakespeare last year too, and loved it).
Brilliant piece. I will definitely be visiting!
Liverpool, London, Bath, Stratford, Dumfries, the list is endless. I have been drawn to many places throughout the UK to visit and learn about their cultural heritage. My visits support their local economies (hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, museums even petrol stations!) and for me, the best part about Shakespeare North is that it is at the top of my road, in my own, fabulous little town. If the new theatre space brings an injection of wealth, visitors and culture, to the local economy along with entertainment and fun, bring it on! Anyone got a blue plaque handy?
Thank you for an informative and chirpy article. I'm going to Shakespeare North to see a performance of "Kitty, Queen of the Wash House" next week. I look forward to having a good old mooch about the theatre and the town.
There is absolutely no evidence that Shakespeare ever visited Prescot despite desperate searches through the records of Knowsley Hall.
That cash strapped local authorities, in some of the country's most deprived areas, can find £ms to support this ego project beggars belief.
I’m happy to believe the man himself trod those streets !! What a beautiful addition to the town. A great read.