HATEFUL insults, fiery passion and just a touch of romance.

No, this is not the latest instalment of your favourite soap, but one way a York project hopes it will get more people interested in literature.

They plan to use the battle of the sexes to get more people involved.

York Shakespeare Project wants to show people that The Taming Of The Shrew is just as relevant today as Steve and Karen MacDonald in Coronation Street, or Ian and Laura Beale in EastEnders.

The project plans to use role playing from the play, and give people the chance to say what it is they love or hate about the Bard.

Ali Borthwick, chairwoman of the York Shakespeare Project, hoped the project would help people realise that Shakespeare was not as dull as they thought.

She said: "The workshops are all about trying to make Shakespeare more modern."

They will take place on Saturday, at 2.30pm, at Southlands Methodist Church, on Bishopthorpe Road.

Everyone, regardless of acting experience, is welcome to attend, but there are limited numbers so to guarantee a place phone Eileen Dale on York 647537, or Paul Toy on 07754 803989.

There will be auditions for the summer production of The Taming of the Shrew on Saturday, February 8, and Saturday, Febuary 15, at the same venue from 9.30am.

The play will be performed at the Civic Centre, in Pocklington, on June 12 to 14, followed by a week at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, from June 16 to 21.

Updated: 10:12 Monday, January 20, 2003