The Yorkshire Post Says: Bringing a Shakesperean theatre to York deserves a standing ovation

Even the most photogenic of cities, however, must keep moving forward and so the plans to bring Europe’s first ever temporary Shakespearean theatre to York are to be applauded.

While open air performances of the Bard’s work have become a staple of the British summer, the Rose Theatre project is something much more ambitious entirely.

If given the go ahead – and York City Council must surely lend its support – an Elizabethan-style theatre will be built next to Clifford’s Tower and for 10 weeks the best of the Bard, including a production of Richard III, will be played out against this stunning backdrop.

Anyone who has been fortunate enough to see a production at London’s Globe will know that it is a theatrical experience like no other. If even just a little of that magic can be recreated here, it will deserve a standing ovation.

The team behind the Rose Theatre are also rightly committed to using the venue to introduce a new generation of children to Shakespeare and show that his work is as relevant today as it was when first performed 400 years ago.

While many youngsters are put off the likes of Macbeth in school, seeing a live performance in a venue like the Rose Theatre could fire their imaginations for life. Shakespeare might have said that all the world’s a stage, but there’s no better home for his work than right here in Yorkshire.