Shakespeare North – Jacobean Timber Frame

An historic milestone has been reached in the construction of The Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot as the installation of the timber frame theatre has begun. For over a year, timber specialists, McCurdy and Co have been fabricating and preparing the solid oak pieces that will form the theatre itself and will create the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the building.

To mark this significant milestone, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, joined Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development and Mike Harden, Knowsley Council’s Chief Executive, on site for the installation of some of the first timber beams.

Some interesting stats for the frame are:

• Part of the frame is being construction from the film set, Shakespeare In Love – it was saved and stored at Knowsley Safari Park and with the help of volunteers it is being used within the new frame of the Playhouse.
• 90 tonnes of timber will be used
• Predominantly English Oak in the construction
• Hand-finished carved timbers
• Several hundred mortice and tenon joints
• 20 months fabrication period off site
• Main vertical posts weigh 750 kg each
• The inner octagon is based on the Lantern at Ely Cathedral