The Play’s the Thing – Shakespeare to Bring £5m Boost to Local Economy

Europe’s first ever pop-up Shakespearean theatre will be taking centre stage in the grounds of the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site for a summer season featuring four of the Bard’s most popular plays.

Running from 8th July to 7th September, the ambitious production involves the construction of a full-size replica of Shakespeare’s 13-sided Rose Theatre, set within a vibrant Elizabethan village.

Audiences will be able to see Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III and Romeo & Juliet all performed in the intimate atmosphere of an Elizabethan playhouse.

There will be three tiers of covered seating for 560 and an open courtyard for 340 standing ‘groundlings’.

“According to our financial projections the economic contribution to the area of the Shakespeare Rose Theatre programme could be as much as £5m,” said Dominic.

“Up to 1/3 of the audience are expected to come in from outside of our area, with many of them staying on and exploring the local area of additional days. We are determined to grow the local economy, prioritise local businesses and jobs and promote the region’s tourist attractions. Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre has the potential to become a very powerful driver for the local economy”

“As well as the economic boost we are also able to offer up to 500 free tickets for local schoolchildren as well as deeply discounted prices for many thousands more,” he added.

The original Rose Theatre 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.

Its success 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.

For more information please contact: Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548.