Globe theatre plans revealed

7:41am Friday 13th June 2008

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PLANS for a 500-seat multi-million pound theatre, dubbed the Globe of the North, are being drawn up by a stage company.

Sprite Productions wants to replicate Shakespeare's Globe in the grounds of Ripley Castle, near Harrogate.

Liam Evans-Ford, the company's artistic director and producer, is excited by the plans, but said they were at a very early stage.

He said: "We have got the architects drawing up first-stage plans for the theatre, but there are a lot of hurdles still to clear.

"It is going to be a multi-million pound project and a major tourist attraction."

Thirsk architects' firm Severfield-Reeve has been commissioned to produce plans, with the first drafts expected this year.

Mr Evans-Ford said: "We are waiting to see whether it is something local residents go for, and whether it is something we would get planning permission for. I think this is something that the North of England deserves."

The idea came from Ripley Castle's owner, Sir Thomas Ingilby, after last summer's bad weather caused some open-air performances at the castle to be moved indoors.

The design would be similar to Shakespeare's Globe, on the south bank of the River Thames, in London.

Mr Evans-Ford said: "Sir Thomas and I first discussed the idea about a year ago. Since then, it has been a slow-burning process.

"There is no need to rush into this, and it is going to take a lot of funding. Even if it takes five, ten or 20 years to get this project up and running, it will be worth it.

"The theatre would be designed to cope with period productions, as well as more modern theatre."

It would be smaller than Shakespeare's Globe, which holds about 1,000 people.

Mr Evans-Ford said companies or individuals interested in discussing funding for the theatre could call him on 01423-770623.