Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre

Europe’s first ever pop-up Shakespearean Theatre | York, UK

More than 400 years ago, the first audiences for Shakespeare’s plays enjoyed an experience that was as intimate as it was exciting, crowded in close to the actors and the action, in a small theatre in the bustling city of London. In SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE an experience every bit as exciting, intimate and immersive will be offered to today’s audiences in a dramatic playhouse setting beside the iconic 13^th century Clifford’s Tower in the heart of the historic city of York.

Inspired by the famous London Rose Playhouse built in 1587, 12 years prior to The Globe, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre will combine state-of-the-art Layher system scaffolding technology with the historic 13-sided design of a 16^th century Shakespearean theatre. Utilising 30,000 cubic metres of scaffolding tubes, 15,000 sq ft of corrugated iron cladding as well as timber, in total weighing approximately 60 tonnes, the theatre will take 40–50 people three weeks to build.

It will house an audience of 950, with 600 seated on three tiered balconies around an open-roofed courtyard, and standing room for 350 ‘groundlings’.

The unique environment of Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre connects actors and audience together in ways many people will never have experienced before. While an interactive experience awaits those closest to the stage in the yard, no seat in the theatre will be more than 15m from the action, providing plenty of breath-taking, spine-tingling, heart-stopping moments!

The original Rose Playhouse was built in 1587 on the south bank of the River Thames in London. It was a slightly irregular 14-sided structure made of timber, with plaster exterior and a thatched roof, open in the centre to the elements.

The success of The Rose Playhouse paved the way for other theatres to be built in the area, including The Swan in 1595, The Globe Theatre in 1599 and The Fortune in 1600.

Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre is a temporary structure without air-conditioning or heating. All seats (660) are under cover with the groundlings area open air so please dress appropriately. Umbrellas are not permitted as they will impede the view of other patrons.