EUROPE’S first ever pop-up Shakespearean theatre is coming to Blenheim Palace next summer.

Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, a 13-sided Elizabethan-style playhouse able to hold 900 people, will bring four plays to life at the Woodstock stately home between July 8 and September 7, over a three-week period.

The theatre will be located within an ‘authentic Shakespearean village’, featuring medieval musicians, a selection of Oxfordshire food and drink outlets and an Elizabethan garden.

The structure will be built at the UNESCO World Heritage Site using state-of-the-art scaffolding technology, corrugated iron and timber and the productions will take place at dates to be fixed.

The ambitious project comes courtesy of international theatre company, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, which launched the theatre project in York this summer.

Blenheim Palace chief executive Dominic Hare visited the York performances and said he was very impressed.

He said: “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.

“I’m 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.”

Inspired by the famous London Rose Playhouse, built in 1587, 12 years prior to The Globe, the theatre will include 560 seats on three-tiered balconies around an open-roofed courtyard, plus standing room for 340 people.

The Blenheim Palace season will be co-presented by Raymond Gubbay Ltd, which has experience promoting events and concerts worldwide, including the popular Christmas at Blenheim Palace illuminated trail, which runs from Friday until January 6.

Anthony Findlay, chief executive of Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said: “We have had the pleasure of working closely with Blenheim Palace for the past three years and have also enjoyed successful partnerships with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions on their touring shows.

“It’s hugely exciting that all three companies have now joined forces to bring this fabulous Shakespearean experience to the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace and the audiences of Oxfordshire.”

The four plays performed will be tragedies Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, history play Richard III and comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Eight morning performances have been set aside for schools in July at £10 per seat.

These will be available to book in December direct through SEE Tickets on 0800 852 7244 or by emailing education@seetickets.com.

You can also book in advance by visiting blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT, or by calling 0871 220 0260.