A REPLICA Shakespearean theatre is set to be built in the centre of York next summer, in a European first that tourism bosses are hailing as a massive coup for the city.

Ryedale based Lunchbox Productions - the company behind the Ice Factor at McArthur Glen each Christmas - has drawn up plans for Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, a 950 seat, three tiered wooden theatre to be built on Castle car park.

The company is now waiting for councillors to agree its temporary use of the land from June 22 to September 2, but the move has already been given an enthusiastic welcome.

Sally Greenway, head of Visit York, said, “Hosting a ‘European First’ in York is brilliant news for York’s tourism sector.

“Shakespeare is known and loved throughout the world and this iconic event will give us a prime opportunity to promote York to both UK and international visitors.

“The Elizabethan–style theatre with its open roof will look stunning beside Clifford’s Tower and is likely to generate thousands of additional visitors, as well as increasing our media profile, once again putting York firmly on the map as a City of Festivals.”

Lunchbox Productions have already revealed the four plays it plans to stage - Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet and Richard III - bringing the Yorkist king back to the city.

The 12-sided theatre - inspired by the Rose Theatre built in London in 1587 - will see most audience members within 15 metres of the action.

Luncbox Productions’s CEO James Cundall said as an international production company they could have taken the Rose to many locations, but chose York because of a passion for the city.

“As a proud Yorkshireman, I am truly excited to be creating this venue in the heart of York. It’s hoped that it will excite both locals and tourists and create a new legacy for the city.

“I am thrilled. It’s a big project and like all big projects there is a massive financial risk, but we wouldn’t be going into it if we didn’t believe in it.”

They are especially excited to be bringing the theatre inside the historic walled city, he added.

“The historic setting is really important. We talked to a lot of people in York - professors at the university - and we all agreed it had to be within the city walls.

“All the Restoration theatres were in the hustle and bustle of the city.”

The project will also have a strong educational side, he added, and they want to give as many Yorkshire children as possible chance to see a Shakespeare play in an authentic setting.

It has already got the backing of Steve Brown, MD of Make it York, who called it a “massive coup” for York and praised the single-minded determination of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions to bring it to the city.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, added: “I am absolutely thrilled that Shakespeare will be coming to Yorkshire next year with this exciting theatre project.

“It couldn’t be better placed than in our wonderful historic city of York.”

Later this month City of York’s Executive committee will decide on the temporary use of the car park, and the project is subject to planning consent.