TODAY is the day the people of York can explore Shakespeare's Rose Theatre - and here are some exclusive images and video from the dress rehearsal of Romeo & Juliet.

The Elizabethan village in Castle Car Park, near Clifford's Tower, is set to open at 11am, with the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, giving a blessing at 12.30pm.

James Cundall, producer of the theatre and chief executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, said he was extremely pleased with how it had all come together.

He said: "The site opens at eleven o'clock, and we're ready. We're finished. It's amazing, really.

"Somebody said to me - in a Yorkshire accent - 'wow, your artistic drawing actually looks like what you've done'. And I said, 'well, that's lucky'. So what we drew a year ago and presented to the council and the planners, we've actually created and we're sitting in the most wonderful Shakespeare's garden."

The site is open to the public, with free wagon entertainment on offer in the shade of Clifford's Tower, a big screen showing silent adaptations of Shakespeare's plays which date back more than a hundred years, with food and drink also available.

James said: "Every day we do four or five hours of free entertainment for the public, so just come on down here and if you don't want to see a show just come and have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and watch something for free in a great environment. And who knows, maybe then we might persuade you then to go see a show."

To find out more about Shakespeare's Rose Theatre, including ticket prices and availability, go to shakespearesrosetheatre.com