Shakespeare North Playhouse is awarded £228,850 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for community driven storytelling project.

Wed 1 Nov, 2023

Shakespeare North Playhouse has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the project ‘Our Town’s Sound’

Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to explore the unique dialect and language of Prescot and the heritage and stories they carry.

Development funding of £228,850 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to Shakespeare North Playhouse to support this project in addition to supporting further work at the theatre including improving access and accessibility.

Inspired by the richness of Shakespeare’s language and the first Folio, Our Town’s Sound will delve into this history, working with audiences young and old to explore the factors that influence language development including popular culture, social structure and migration. Beginning with the language inventions by Shakespeare, the project will go on a journey with the local community, discovering factors that influenced language in Knowsley and how developments may or may not be evident in local vernacular today.

The project will look at the heritage of language in general and specifically how it has developed in Knowsley and the local area. This will consider factors such as migration, social structure, local culture and economic and industry factors. Shakespeare North are using the First Folio being in residence at the theatre as a springboard for a conversation around language heritage by highlighting how Shakespeare’s work has influenced language. Specific phrases that he coined are still used today, which is remarkable.

Shakespeare North will use this project to explore the Knowsley story within the wider study of Shakespeare and his language, appealing to local people and contributing to a sense of place and pride in distinctiveness.

Awarded ‘Theatre Building of The Year 2023’ at The Stage Awards, Shakespeare North Playhouse is a ground-breaking new venue located in Prescot, Liverpool which opened in July 2022. Home to the only 17th-century style, timber-built “Cockpit” theatre outside London and built entirely during the pandemic thanks to public funds and donations, the venue is anticipated to attract over 140,000 visitors a year to the region.

Shakespeare North Playhouse is playing a key role in the regeneration of Knowsley; impacting the people and communities by providing job opportunities, skills development, raising aspirations and increasing health and well-being. Since opening, over 100,000 people have visited, of which 10% had never set foot inside any theatre before.

Melanie Lewis, Chief Executive of Shakespeare North Playhouse comments ‘We are immensely grateful and privileged to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their generous support towards this project. This funding not only empowers us to delve into the rich culture of Prescot, but also allows us to preserve and celebrate the unique cultural heritage of our community.’