Shakespeare coming to life

Canals are the perfect waterways for learning how to use a kayak or canoe - there are no white water rapids and no currents to deal with.

But in order to get started you will need a licence from the Canal & River Trust - short term licences for up to 30 days are available from its website.

Alternatively, join a club such as the Pennine Canoe & Rowing Club (penninecrc. org), to learn the basics before striking out on your own. EUROPE’S first pop-up Elizabethan theatre will soon open for a summer season of Shakespeare plays in historic York.

Currently being built beside the landmark 13th century Clifford’s Tower, the Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre will have 600 seats and room for 350 standing members of the audience.

The first performance is on Monday, June 25, and over the 10-week season there will be a choice of four productions – Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III and Macbeth. Created from corrugated iron and timber, using 21st century scaffolding techniques, the 13-sided building is a replica Elizabethan theatre.

Visitors to York will also be able to see Shakespeare’s Village outside the theatre, a free attraction featuring street food vendors and a period garden.

For details of performances and tickets visit shakespearesrosetheatre.com