An idea to build a reproduction of London's Globe Theatre made entirely from shipping containers is being floated in Detroit.

Angus Vail, a New Yorker who manages the business affairs of rock musicians and opera singers, came up with the idea for the Shakespearean theater. He's designed and patented the "Container Globe," a full-size, open-air reimagining of the Globe Theatre.

Though he has had preliminary discussions with associates in Denver, Los Angeles and other cities about building the theater in one of those cities, Vail said in a release that he's most interested in bringing it to Detroit's cultural district along the Woodward Avenue corridor.

While in the city on music tours and working on trademark and intellectual property matters for his bands with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, Vail said he's become a fan of Detroit.

"I love this city's grit and its stunning comeback, and also the way Detroiters support all kinds of cultural events — rock, electronic music, opera, Broadway and … Motown."

A small theater with engaged audiences participating in the action will be "a home run, or as Shakespeare might say, 'such stuff as dreams are made on,'" he said.

Vail has been in Detroit this year, sharing his vision with local companies and foundations, arts organizations and the city. The response has been "extraordinarily positive," said Bud Liebler, principal of the Liebler Group, which is assisting Vail with local outreach.

Liebler declined to say which organizations Vail has approached so far, but said the early feedback has been very encouraging.

Vail estimates the cost of building the theater, which could be disassembled and moved, would be about $6 million.

As planned, it would be lit from within and enclosed by metallic mesh to preserve an open-air feeling, while providing some protection from the elements.

The theater would have capacity for 650 seated patrons and space for another 550 to stand in the "yard."

It would operate April through October and be available to host other events, from rock concerts and other musical performances to contemporary theater conferences and educational events.

Vail's business plan calls for ticket prices ranging from $75 for seats to $10 or less for the yard to attract students and other young people.

For its part, the Globe Theatre in London has encouraged Vail to go forward with the project and voiced interest in participating at a production level, perhaps by sending its world-class productions to Detroit, Liebler said.