The Duke of Edinburgh has shared his one regret after visiting Prescot's Shakespeare North Playhouse.
The venue is home to the only 17th-century style, timber-built "Cockpit" theatre outside London and is able to seat 450 spectators. Opening its doors last year, so far over 100,000 people have come to visit this "jewel in the crown".
Built entirely during the pandemic with public funds and donations, the incredible venue was officially opened today by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward. Dozens of staff and volunteers were on hand to welcome the Duke and tell him about the building of the theatre and what it means to Merseyside and beyond.
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Having been shown around the cockpit theatre, which he said was "fantastic", Prince Edward took a keen interest in the layout and production before the unveiling of a special plaque. During his speech he said he had heard about how the theatre had been coming to life and he "really wanted to come and see it myself."
However, despite marvelling at what he was told, Prince Edward said there was one thing he was "really sorry" about. He added: "I'm really sorry that actually, I didn't get to see a bit of a performance myself, perhaps if I'm passing."
He later joked that he was "rather disappointed" the unveiling was in a café rather than on the stage as he added: "Perhaps that's where my life has gone."
Speaking to a beaming crowd, the Duke of Edinburgh said: "This has been a very long story. I think it's been first muted over 20 years ago as a concept and so congratulations to everyone who has seen this through and has stuck with this and to thank everybody who has been involved in supporting this project and to be able to bring it to life.
"It's been a fantastic teamwork to be able to do that. But I think what's really exciting is about the fact creating a space like this in the community here and watching that community respond to what this space means."
Praising the volunteers and staff, he said: "It's absolutely brilliant and I hope that that will continue." He added the arts is about bringing people together, shown here at the playhouse as well as Eurovision as he added it was good to hear people were becoming "more optimistic and positive about life."
Max Steinberg CBE DL, Chair of Shakespeare North Trust told the ECHO it had been a "wonderful day" as the Prince spent time with trustees and volunteers, taking a "huge interest" in the theatre. He said: "Not only have they (Prescot) got a jewel in the crown in terms of theatres in this country, or possibly even the world, it means regeneration."
After the royal visit, leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, said: "We all know that the Duke is really involved in the arts and culture and he did say he was overwhelmed and absolutely blown away with the theatre."
Speaking about the theatre, he added: "It's been a great success story and he was really complimentary on all the work and effort that has gone into bringing this theatre to life."
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