Shakespeare North Playhouse wins major award

A theatre which has "transformed" a Merseyside town has been named RIBA's North West Building of the Year.

Judges at the Royal Institute of British Architects said Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, which opened in 2022, was "built with passion".

The jury said the building was "uplifting and inspiring" and had been "transformative".

Knowsley councillor Shelley Powell said it was a "fantastic achievement".

Ms Marks said while the building's outer shell was built from brick and concrete, inside is an Elizabethan-style solid timber framed theatre in the round.

"It's so unexpected," she said.

"It's really intense. It's really small and it's so atmospheric."

Plans to build the theatre were revealed in 2016 in recognition that the town had been the only place to have a purpose-built Elizabethan theatre outside London.

The original theatre had opened in 1593 and is believed to have hosted performances by William Shakespeare, which were made possible by the Earl of Derby, who lived at Knowsley Hall.

However, as no plans of the original theatre existed, the new theatre was based on the design of a 17th Century Cockpit theatre in London, and opened in 2022.

Ms Marks said architects had "really put love and care into" the building design.

"These kinds of buildings and projects really can transform an area in a really positive way," she said.

"How local people respond to it and how it transforms people lives, we really wanted to reward that."

Ms Powell added: "To receive three prestigious awards is a fantastic achievement for everyone who worked on the Shakespeare North Playhouse – from its initial vision, through to its design, planning, construction and now operation.

"To be recognised by this professional body is very well deserved. Congratulations to everyone involved."

Other buildings in were also recognised by RIBA including Liverpool's Copperas Hill Student Life and Sports Building, Liverpool John Moores University which had proven to create a link between Lime Street Station and the university campus and Georgian Quarter of the city.

The Alder Centre at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital was also recognised for its purpose to create a place of sanctuary and support.

Ms Marks described it as as an "amazing facility" and an "important, calming and peaceful place".

"Great buildings can do a really wonderful thing to a local area and evoke really intense feelings and be transformative," she said.

"I think it's a really great thing that we have these awards and that we can celebrate local architecture.

"We have given awards to buildings that are not only beautiful to look at but have made a real difference."

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