Shakespeare North Playhouse
Role Founding Creative Director
Sector Theatre
Location Knowsley, Liverpool City Region
At the heart of the vision was the creation of a national and international centre of artistic excellence and a cultural hub for local citizens. Opening in 2022, in the first year alone, we welcomed 120,000 visitors and 15,000 schoolchildren, and under my leadership, delivered high‑profile collaborations with organisations including BBC’s The One Show, National Theatre, Northern Stage, Not Too Tame, English Touring Theatre and The British Library, to name a few.
As the founding Creative Director, I defined and led a bold artistic vision and ambitious cultural strategy for the £38m Shakespeare North Playhouse, a landmark cultural regeneration project that centred communities, creative access and ambitious artistic innovation. Within two years of being open to the public, the organisation became a multi-award-winning, nationally recognised cultural institution.
Image Credit Shakespeare North Playhouse ©Steve Samosa Shakespeare North Playhouse [Outdoors] ©Marge Ainsley