Liverpool to House £15m Sir Ken Dodd Happiness Centre
The city of Liverpool is set to honour its beloved comedian, Sir Ken Dodd, with a new £15 million centre dedicated to his legacy. The Sir Ken Dodd Happiness Centre will serve as a permanent home for his extensive archive, housing his treasured joke books, iconic tickling sticks, and other artefacts that embody his legendary career.
Located in the heart of the city, the four-storey centre will be an extension of the Royal Court theatre, where Sir Ken graced the stage throughout his career. The plans, submitted in November, were recently approved by Liverpool City Council. The centre is expected to open in time for the 100th anniversary of Sir Ken's birth in 2027.
Sir Ken's widow, Lady Dodd, expressed her delight, stating that her late husband would be "honoured" and "amazed" by the centre's creation. She highlighted Sir Ken's deep connection to Liverpool, noting his pivotal role in saving the Royal Court from closure in 1979.
The centre will offer visitors a glimpse into Sir Ken's comedic genius, showcasing his unique Diddymen puppets and his meticulously kept notebooks filled with jokes, observations about the art of comedy, and deeply personal thoughts. He left behind over 1,000 such books, marking his best jokes with the acronym "GOG" for "good old gag".
Though Sir Ken had requested his wife burn these notebooks after his death, Lady Dodd recognized their historical significance and decided to preserve them. She deemed them "unique" and "invaluable" for their insights into the mind of a comedic legend.
The centre will not only celebrate Sir Ken's legacy but also pay homage to other British comedians, fulfilling Sir Ken's dream of establishing a museum dedicated to the nation's unique sense of humour.
"We will make sure that his dream comes to life, and it is a history of comedy as well as showing the artefacts," Lady Dodd stated.
Royal Court chief executive Gillian Miller expressed her excitement, stating that "there is no better city than Liverpool to create a centre for happiness and wellbeing in".
The project will be funded through contributions from the Sir Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation and the Comedy Trust. A fundraising campaign is also scheduled to launch soon to further support the centre's development.
The Sir Ken Dodd Happiness Centre promises to be a fitting tribute to the "tickling" comedian, ensuring that his legacy continues to bring joy and laughter to generations to come.
