Step Behind the Scenes at Shakespeare North Playhouse’s Free Open Day

Shakespeare North Playhouse opens its doors for a community heritage celebration

FREE Open Day with activities for all ages on Saturday 19th September.

On Saturday, 19th September, Shakespeare North Playhouse will welcome visitors for a special Open Day, inviting the community to explore the stories, skills and traditions that have shaped Prescot in the past and continue to shape its future.

Coinciding with this year’s Heritage Open Days and inspired by their theme, Everyday Histories, the FREE event will celebrate the people, places and everyday moments that connect us across generations. From the crafts and industries that built Prescot’s reputation, including watchmaking, cable manufacturing and farming, to the enduring legacy of Shakespeare’s work, the Charity’s Open Day will shine a light on the hidden histories of the theatre and the stories beyond the stage.

Visitors will have the opportunity to discover more about Shakespeare North Playhouse through a programme of activities designed to engage audiences of all ages. Interactive workshops led by the Learning & Engagement team will encourage creativity and exploration, while behind-the-scenes opportunities will reveal the many ways the charity serves its community beyond performances. Audiences will gain insights about Shakespeare North’s artist development and learning & engagement programmes, the fundraising that helps make creative opportunities accessible to local people, and how venue hire and events also help support its charitable work.

The Open Day will launch a new Find My Seat experience, inviting audiences to explore the theatre from different perspectives. With a focus on accessibility and inclusion, visitors will be encouraged to try a range of seating options and discover how the venue works to ensure everyone can enjoy live theatre in a way that suits them.

The event also provides a fitting introduction to the Playhouse’s autumn production of Macbeth, directed by Ben Crystal. Performed using a cue-script based, quick raise process and staged by candlelight, the production reflects the company’s commitment to exploring the rich heritage of Shakespeare’s original performance practices while bringing them vividly to life for modern audiences.

As Heritage Open Days takes place across the country, Shakespeare North Playhouse’s contribution offers a distinctly local perspective on a national celebration. By connecting Prescot’s remarkable industrial heritage with contemporary creativity, the Open Day invites visitors to consider how everyday lives, past and present, shape the communities we belong to.

Further details and the full programme will be announced on our website soon: https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/shakespeare-north-playhouse-open-day-2026/