CREATIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED FOR THE SHAKESPEARE NORTH PLAYHOUSE
Executive Producer Laura Collier has been appointed as Creative Director & Programmer for The Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, Merseyside. This prestigious appointment is yet more positive news for this project that is currently under construction and due to open to the public in 2022. Laura’s appointment is also a major boost for Prescot and Knowsley as a whole as it gears up to a programme of arts and cultural events its year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture, also taking place in 2022.
Laura is an established and well-respected Producer of contemporary theatre having previously worked as Head of Studio at the National Theatre, Senior Producer at Battersea Arts Centre and Associate Producer at The Traverse Theatre. Most recently working as an Executive Producer and Consultant, she has supported Shakespeare’s Globe and the Leeds Playhouse.
She has significant experience working with critically acclaimed artists and also in empowering emerging talent to develop new ideas and produce a wide and varied range of creative experiences for audiences.
Ian Tabbron, Chief Executive of The Shakespeare North Playhouse said:
“We are absolutely delighted to secure the expertise and experience of someone like Laura. Her creative leadership has generated enormous benefits for theatres, artists and communities across Britain and we really look forward to working with her to shape an extraordinary programme for 2022.”
Laura commented:
“The creation of Shakespeare North Playhouse at this time represents a vital statement about the role theatre can play in building and enabling the creativity of communities locally, nationally and internationally. And with its opening coming during 2022 when Knowsley will celebrate a year of culture and celebration I’m beyond excited to be part of the team that will set out the vision and strategy, working with the citizens of Prescot and creative partners from further afield. I look forward to the conversations, work and theatre that will emerge in the coming years”.
The Shakespeare North Playhouse, which will complete the UK’s Shakespearean triangle with Shakespeare’s Globe in London and the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, will open to the public in 2022 – the same year that Knowsley will be celebrated as the Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture. This year-long celebration will bring culture and the arts to the whole community and Prescot and the Playhouse will play an important part in those celebrations.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods said:
“It is such a wonderfully exciting time for us in Knowsley as we build up to 2022 and not only the opening of the Playhouse but also our year as Borough of Culture. I am delighted that we have Laura on board now to work with us during this time helping build anticipation and shape a really interesting and accessible programme of events and performance for everyone to enjoy.
It is so important for us to connect the Playhouse with the community surrounding it and to excite as many people as possible in culture. Everything from sport, to art to theatre and dance. There really is something for everyone to engage with and I am certain that with her experience and collaborative approach Laura will be instrumental in making 2022 truly magical for Knowsley.”
Laura will start work in mid October 2020.