Shakespeare North Playhouse will host its first-ever Gala Night on Saturday 31 January, bringing together an outstanding line-up of actors, writers and performers for an evening of Shakespeare’s sonnets and music inspired by his work.
Set within the oak-framed Cockpit Theatre, the event will be directed by James Dacre and will focus on Shakespeare’s verse as a living art form, meant to be spoken aloud, shared collectively and reinterpreted by every generation.
The line-up includes Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Ben Crystal, Les Dennis, Olivia Frances Brown, Daniel Francis, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Sally Hodgkiss, Rufus Hound, James Nelson-Joyce, Mike Noble, Ashley Nugent, Michael Starke, Cathy Tyson and Sarah White.
The Gala Night will raise funds to support Shakespeare North’s artist development and participation programmes, including ORIGIN8 and the Shakespeare North Young Company. ORIGIN8 provides artists with time, space and professional guidance to develop new work, while the Young Company offers children and young people aged 7–16 the opportunity to engage with theatre as a space for creativity and confidence.
“This Gala Night happens because artists believe in supporting other artists. Every performer involved has donated their time so that all money raised through ticket sales can go directly into our artist development and youth theatre programmes,” said Lisa Allen, CEO and Creative Director at Shakespeare North Playhouse.
“Many of the artists taking part in the Gala Night have personal and professional connections to the North West. Their involvement reflects a commitment to reinvesting in the places and communities that shaped them, and to strengthening a creative ecosystem where opportunity, mentorship and support are rooted locally and shared widely.”
“So, by coming together in this way, established artists are helping to build the conditions in which new talent can emerge, develop and sustain a future in the arts. It is a collective act of support; ensuring that artists at all stages of their careers, and the artists of tomorrow, have the opportunity to thrive.”
Audiences can expect a celebratory and entertaining evening featuring much-loved performers from stage and screen, sharing great writing, music and performance in an intimate and striking setting.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
