Sir Ken Dodd’s joke books, tickling sticks, and other cherished artefacts are set to be preserved in a brand new £15m centre dedicated to the late comedy legend in his hometown of Liverpool. The Sir Ken Dodd Happiness Centre will serve as a permanent home for his archive, while also hosting comedy performances and events.
The four-storey centre will be connected to Liverpool’s Royal Court theatre, where Sir Ken frequently entertained audiences throughout his illustrious career. Following his passing in 2018, plans for the centre were submitted in November and recently approved by Liverpool City Council.
Lady Dodd, Sir Ken’s widow, expressed her belief that he would be “honoured” and “amazed” by the establishment of the centre. She shared that her husband played a pivotal role in saving the theatre from closure in 1979, making the location of the centre all the more special as it is situated in the city he adored and called home.
The centre will showcase a variety of Sir Ken’s possessions, including his Diddymen puppets and notebooks filled with jokes and reflections from his seven-decade career. Despite leaving instructions for his wife to burn the books after his passing, Lady Dodd decided to preserve them due to their uniqueness and value.
Additionally, the centre will pay tribute to other comedians, fulfilling Sir Ken’s dream of opening a museum of comedy to celebrate the British sense of humor. The goal is to open the centre in time for the 100th anniversary of Sir Ken’s birth in 2027, with funding coming from the Sir Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation and the Comedy Trust.
Royal Court chief executive Gillian Miller expressed excitement about creating a center for happiness and well-being in Liverpool, emphasizing the city’s perfect fit for such an endeavor. A fundraising campaign is also set to kick off soon to support the development of the Sir Ken Dodd Happiness Centre, ensuring that his legacy and love for comedy live on for generations to come.
