We warmly invite schools to explore Shakespeare North Playhouse, where we’ve designed a range of programs tailored to meet your school’s needs.
We are committed to making your visit and experience as memorable as possible.
Don’t forget to fill in the form if you’d like to make a school booking. All school visits to theatre shows, activities and visits to Shakespeare North Playhouse must be booked in advance.
You can find the forms in the ‘How to Book a School Visit’ section below.
We can’t wait for you to join us to celebrate creativity and the joy of performance!
Schools across Knowsley are being invited to register their interest in a new ticket allocation programme that will provide around 1,800 local children and young people with free tickets to performances at Shakespeare North Playhouse.
All infoChoose from our menu of four core workshops that explore the work of England’s most outstanding playwright at the North’s hub for Shakespeare’s stories. We invite you to our unique building to work with our expert team, exploring a workshop of your choice.
Look out online for our seasonal specials relating to our exciting theatre programme!
Each session lasts 2.5 hours and can accommodate up to 35 pupils.
Every booking includes a tour of the building*, workshop of your choice, pack-lunch space for before or after your workshop.
You can book a morning or afternoon slot to suit your school’s needs; timings are recommended at 10.00am-12.30pm or 1.00pm-3.30pm – we can also work with you to accommodate any timing adjustments you need.
If you’re an alternative education provider, home education organiser, or from a specialist school- we can adjust workshop styles to ensure you can visit Shakespeare North Playhouse with confidence and support.
*subject to space bookings
To find out more, please email: [email protected]
Recommended for EYFS/KS1
This specially designed workshop uses sensory play, storytelling, and movement to introduce Shakespeare in a creative, accessible way. Pupils will develop their critical thinking skills as they delve into expressive arts activities that promote confidence, creativity, and communication.
Outcomes will include: develop an awareness of storytelling linking to phonics and literacy, develop skills in sharing ideas, using physicality to help tell stories
Recommended for KS2/KS3
This practical, engaging workshop allows pupils to develop key oracy skills while deepening their understanding of language, key Shakespearian characters, stories and rhythms.
Pupils are encouraged to experiment, perform and reflect on Shakespearian text, building confidence in speaking aloud and understanding how language or peformance choices can shape meaning and impact. The workshop is inclusive and can support both reluctant and confident speakers alike. Using drama techniques and interactive exercises, we’ll help your students speak some Shakespeare.
Outcomes will include: Literacy, Oracy, Comprehension and interpretation of written text, Active discussion
Recommended for KS3 & KS4
This workshop explores how Shakespeare crafted his plays and why his writing continues to provoke such powerful responses from audiences 400 years later. Pupils examine the context of his time and the dramatic devices, structures and genre conventions that underpin the magic of The Bard’s tragedies and comedies.
Using drama techniques, discussion and practical exercises, we aim to demystify Shakespeare, understand his stories better- examining language and themes in lots of the work.
Outcomes will include: Understanding of Shakespeare’s plays, Analysis of plot, Character, structure and language, Encouraging oracy skills and Informed interpretations of text.
Recommended for KS4 & KS5
This immersive workshop introduces pupils to the wide range of career pathways within the theatre industry. Pupils will take part in practical activities that bring different theatre roles to life, including Directing, Set and Costume Design, Producing, Marketing and more. By stepping into these roles themselves and responding to a creative brief, pupils gain a realistic understanding of how a theatre functions as a collaborative workplace.
The session supports careers education by highlighting transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership, while broadening understanding about employment in the arts.
Outcomes will include: Employability, Collaborative practice, Problem-solving, Leadership skills, and Personal development.
Exploring Macbeth
Is this a workshop I see before me? Step into the dark and dangerous world of Shakespeare’s most thrilling tragedy Macbeth.
In this immersive workshop, we will dig into the chilling prophecies of the witches and what drives Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to their eventual demise. Through performance exercises we will explore characters, settings and language to uncover what makes this play as gripping today as it was over 400 years ago.
Perfect for KS3 and KS4 with focus on:
A Christmas Carol- Persuasion and Perspectives
Inspired by the ghostly world of A Christmas Carol, this fast-paced, interactive drama workshop invites students to explore this classic Victorian tale from a hands-on perspective.
As Scrooge is visited by mysterious spirits, students step into character to make decisions, explore key moments, and take part in persuasive debates while exploring moral choices and consequences. Along the way, they consider how past, present, and future shape choices, and how small actions can lead to powerful change.
Perfect for KS2-4 with focus on:
Each session lasts 2.5 hours and can accommodate up to 35 pupils
From hands-on experiences with sensory storytelling to explorations of careers in theatre, our workshops are designed to inspire every pupil. We'd love to welcome your class.
CLICK!For performances in the Cockpit Theatre tickets are priced at £15 per person with one free for every 10 purchased.
For performances in the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden or the Studio tickets are priced at the standard child and adult rate relative to each performance.
School group size is only limited by the number of seats available in the specific performance areas.
Reservations – all group reservations must be made at least 6 weeks before the show date.
You can book a School Visit by filling in this form here.
Please note that this link is for performance bookings. We have a separate form for school workshop bookings below. Thank you!
The payment deadline for reservations is 4 weeks before the booked performance. If this falls in school holidays an alternative deadline can be discussed and agreed.
Payment arrangements include credit card or invoice.
Coach Parking just 5 minutes away from the Playhouse at Prescot Cables FC, with space for up to 10 coaches per hour. Please call 0151 433 7156 for more information.
1.4 miles away and free to book.
Available 8.30am – 7pm during school holidays; 8.30am – 6pm at other times of the year (excluding winter months when the park is closed Mon & Tue and closes at 5pm Wed – Sun)
To book, please email [email protected]
1.9 miles away and free to book.
Available Mon – Thu 6.30am – 10pm & Friday 6.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun 9am – 6pm
To book, please email [email protected]
Bring your class to Shakespeare North Playhouse and experience live performance in a truly special setting. We'd love to welcome your school.
Performance Booking Form
