The ice theatre will have an open roof the same as London's Globe theatre

"As some 80% of the hotel guests come from outside Scandinavia, we thought it would be interesting for them to listen to Hamlet in such an exotic language," said theatre manager Rolf Degerlund.

"There will be translations into English and other languages."

The theatre is set to be built in Jukkasjaervi, a village 120 miles above the Artic Circle.

Reindeer skins

Weather conditions should allow the theatre to function from January to April and will be eight metres high, with a diameter of 34 metres.

There will be 40 two-storey boxes capable of holding 10 spectators each with room for 100 standing.

As with the London reproduction in Southwark, rebuilt in 1997, it will have an open roof.

The original Globe Theatre opened in 1599, but was destroyed by fire.

Audiences at the ice theatre will be given reindeer skins, infra-red heating and frequent intermissions to buy hot drinks from the ice bar.

"Just imagine experiencing Hamlet and the northern lights at the same time," Mr Degerlund said.

The Ice Hotel complex is built annually and features an ice church, cinema, saunas and ice-baths.