THE man behind plans to re-create Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre near Clifford’s Tower in York this summer has revealed a family connection to the Bard.

James Cundall’s ancestor Henry Condell was a friend of William Shakespeare and edited and published the ‘First Folio’ – the first published collection of Shakespeare’s plays, considered the most important book in English Literature.

Yorkshire has one of the only copies on permanent display in the world at Skipton’s Craven Museum and now Mr Cundall has visited the museum to view it.

He said: “To be allowed to handle a First Folio that would have been handled by my ancestor was both humbling and an immense privilege.”

He added: “I’m sure Henry Condell would be fascinated by Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre that we are creating in York.”