A SECOND Shakespeare's Rose Theatre is to be created at Blenheim Palace next year, following the success of this summer's inaugural season in York.

The pop-up theatre - which is also returning next summer to its York site below Clifford's Tower - could also be set up in future in Ireland and America, says James Cundall, CEO of international theatre company, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, which is behind the venture.

He said: “We had such a wonderful response from our 80,000 visitors in York over the summer and an overwhelming number of requests to return – so not only are we thrilled to be coming back to York in 2019, but our expansion to the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace will enable us to bring this unique immersive experience of Shakespeare to an even wider audience."

He said that while the York theatre will run from June 25 until September 1, its summer residency at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire will be open from July 8 to September 7.

"The new site at Blenheim Palace will enjoy one of the finest views in England, situated within the glorious grounds, adjacent to the 18th century palace," he said. "Coincidentally, it will be just yards from the historic Shakespeare’s Way, which bisects the Blenheim Palace Estate."

He said the Blenheim Palace companies will be performing the repertoire of plays from York's first season in York: Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth, while another four of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays will be performed in York next year: Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night.

He suggested the third season in York in 2020 might feature plays including Othello and the Merchant of Venice.

Both the York and Blenheim Palace theatres will be constructed using state-of-the-art scaffolding technology, corrugated iron and timber, and inspired by the famous London Rose Playhouse built in 1587, 12 years prior to The Globe.

Both theatres will be located within a Shakespearean village, bringing an authentic Elizabethan ambience and theatricality to the event, including 'wagon’ performances of Elizabethan-style entertainment, including comic mini-plays, speeches and mediaeval musicians, and the best Yorkshire and Oxfordshire food and drinks, housed in oak-framed and reed-thatched buildings.

Dominic Hare, chief executive of Blenheim Palace, said: “When I visited Shakespeare's Rose Theatre in York over the summer I was absolutely blown away, not only by the quality of the whole event, even down to the vintage carts and wagons, but by the extraordinary experience of seeing Shakespeare performed in such an intimate setting.

"It created the most astonishing connection between audience and actors, and produced some truly spine-tingling moments.

“I immediately thought it would be the ideal summer event for Blenheim Palace, and am immensely excited at the prospect of bringing these outstanding Shakespeare productions, as well as the Elizabethan experience, to such a stunning setting. We believe that Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre will bring many more visitors to the area for everyone’s benefit as well as being a marvellous cultural experience for local people.”

Full details of the creative team and cast for both theatre companies will be announced in due course.