Comedy in the Sir Ken Dodd Garden

Shakespeare North Playhouse has announced a programme of productions, music, and comedy for the The Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden.

The space was of course named in honour of the late comedian and much-loved performer, whose Trust gave £700,000 to the SNP project. The amphitheatre outdoor space of the award-winning Prescot venue provides a platform for developing talent.

The season kicks off with new musical comedy Twice Nightly, May 6-7. Rubbish Shakespeare return with their production of A Rubbish Midsummer Night's Dream, June 9-11. A Place For Us Theatre stage their Murder, Mayhem & Magic, June 15-18, set in the Court of Queen Elizabeth I and featuring iconic Shakespearean excerpts.

Imaginarium Theatre return with pirate show Treasure Island and the Last Lighthouse Keeper, July 14-16. Rubbish Shakespeare Company, now together with Wing It Improv, present The Incomplete Works, July21-23, a totally improvised play in honour of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio. Handlebard’s also return with thei high-octane production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, July 27-28 and rounding off the spring/summer season, Artsgroupie bring to life William Roscoe, one of England's first abolitionists and social activists, in A Portrait of William Roscoe, August 26-27.

More info and tickets here