Ambitious plans to produce all Shakespeare's plays in York over the next 20 years have received backing from top theatrical figures.

The idea, which is being publicly launched in the city tonight, came out of the Millennium Mystery Plays.

Next March has been pencilled in for the first ten-day show - appropriately Richard III, with all its York connections. Giving his support, Adrian Noble, artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, said: "Your project has just the kind of ambition, energy and risk that I love.

"I can't think of an occasion when such an enterprise has been undertaken before and I am sure you will gather support and enthusiasm like moss to a stone."

Top Shakespearean actors also backed the project, which will be launched at the Priory Street Centre in York at 7.30pm.

York-born Dame Judi Dench, who is filming abroad, said she was delighted to support the project. Sir Antony Sher, who has played Richard III and, more recently, Macbeth, said it was an extraordinary plan.

York MP Hugh Bayley also gave his support, and the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, said: "Following on the immense success of the Millennium Mystery Plays, this project seems to me to be an imaginative and exciting cultural and community initiative."

Coun Janet Looker, chairwoman of the York education services, has also given support for the educational side of the project, with plans to take Shakespeare and the whole process of creating stage and backstage to school and community workshops.

Project chairman Frank Brogan said: "We want people to think this is extraordinary and want to become part of it."

Updated: 11:53 Thursday, April 05, 2001