UP TO 80,000 visitors are set to return to York as the ambitious pop up Shakespeare Rose Theatre takes centre stage again in the city.

After a hugely successful first season the organisers decided never mind to be or not to be it was a definite and are rebuilding the replica theatre in the car park of Clifford's Tower for the new run from June 25 to September1.

The repertoire will be Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night. Because of the astonishing success of last season a similar event is also being launched at Blenheim Palace.

The building is inspired by the famous London Rose Playhouse built in 1587, 12 years prior to The Globe, and combines state-of-the-art scaffolding, corrugated iron and timber with the historic 13-sided design of a 16th century Shakespearean theatre. It takes an audience of 900, with 560 seated on three tiered balconies around an open-roofed courtyard, and standing room for 340.

The theatre will pop up on the site over the next few weeks. A spokesman said: "The unique environment of Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre connects actors and audience together in ways many people will never have experienced.While an interactive experience awaits those closest to the stage in the courtyard, no seat in the theatre is more than 15 metres from the action, providing plenty of breath-taking, spine-tingling, heart-stopping moments.

"With grand battles, songful poetry, howling storms and comic confusion, it’s an experience not to be missed."