It combines two very Melbourne pastimes: the theatre and the pop-up. As a pop-up, however, this is a far bigger proposition than most. Launched on Thursday and opening in September, the Pop-Up Globe theatre is a three-storey, 200 tonne building that takes 90 people to build and can house an audience of up to 900.

Acting Premier James Merlino joined Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren on Thursday to announce the opening. Based on Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, built in 1614, the Pop-Up was conceived to showcase the plays as they were performed back in the 17th century. Funny, captivating and poignant, performances then were interactive and far more playful than modern audiences might expect.

It's the brainchild of New Zealand-born Miles Gregory, who studied the Bard at university and has worked in theatre as an actor, director and producer.

Gregory is convinced that reading Shakespeare is the worst possible introduction to his work. For the plays to be fully appreciated, he argues they need to be seen performed live. The Melbourne Pop-Up will host four shows: Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, As You Like It and Henry V.