Sir Ken Dodd’s gift to Liverpool’s next generation of performers

Sir Ken Dodd’s comedic legacy is set to live on in Liverpool with a promise to uncover the next generation of comedians and actors from the city.

The late Squire of Knotty Ash had a £27.7m estate – the majority of which he asked to go to local charities that were close to his heart. His wife, Lady Anne Dodd took over the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation after his death.

Now, the foundation is set to fund a new three-year scholarship at Liverpool Theatre School. The bursary will enable a talented student to train in professional musical theatre at the city centre school, where Sir Ken Dodd spent many years as a patron inspiring future entertainers.

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Auditions for the prestigious scholarship, which will be awarded on ability and financial circumstances, will take place on June 4, and performers are invited to register in advance to be considered for the bursary.

Liverpool Theatre School, whose graduates can be seen in smash-hit shows such as SIX, Frozen the Musical, Blood Brothers and Wicked, provides elite training in musical theatre, dance and performing arts with courses designed to equip young people with the skills they need to perform at a professional level.

Norah Button of Liverpool Theatre School said: “Sir Ken Dodd was a national treasure and a very dear friend. He was always hugely supportive of Liverpool Theatre School and our mission to make professional training accessible to all gifted young performers, whatever their financial circumstances.

She added: “We’re looking forward to awarding a scholarship in his name to a talented student who might otherwise consider musical theatre training to be beyond their reach financially. Our ultimate aim is to help young performers to achieve their full potential and we’re incredibly grateful to Lady Anne Dodd for her continued support. We thank the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation for such a generous gift.”

Lady Anne Dodd said: “Ken’s association with Liverpool Theatre School dates back to the early 1960s and he spent many years supporting the performing arts school as a proud patron. He had a great love of the theatre and he would be thrilled to be able to support an aspiring young performer starting out on an exciting journey in the industry. We’re delighted to fund this musical theatre scholarship through the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation.”

As part of a commitment to improving opportunities for performers from all backgrounds, Liverpool Theatre School was the first performing arts school to scrap audition fees for prospective students. The organisation regularly stages performances at local theatres and graduating students recently appeared at the Leicester Square Theatre in London’s West End as part of a final year showcase

As well as providing full-time professional training, Liverpool Theatre School also welcomes young performers, between the ages of 6-16, to evening and weekend classes at its Junior Academy.

Liverpool Theatre School is located at Liverpool Central Studios, 35 Sefton Street, Liverpool, L8 5SL. To apply for the Sir Ken Dodd scholarship or to find out more about the courses available at Liverpool Theatre School, visit liverpoolcentralstudios.com.

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