AN ambitious York drama group says it would never have been set up without the Mystery Plays - and claims the medieval dramas must be performed again in 2005.

Members of the York Shakespeare Project, which plans to perform all the Bard's plays in the city over the next 20 years, fear the Mystery Plays may be lost altogether if there is a ten-year wait for the next production.

Lee Maloney, who took part in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Plays, said the momentum would be lost if the next drama was not staged until 2010 in the Minster, as currently seems likely.

"It is deplorable that the Mystery Plays will not be done next year and they must be done in 2005," he said.

"We have got to save them. It's a vitally important part of the culture of York and the country.

"We are a child of the Mystery Plays. Without them we would never have met and the Shakespeare project would not be where it is.

"In our two productions so far, we have had more than 30 people from the Mysteries involved, both on and backstage. We are willing to help in any way we can to keep them going."

At least ten members of the cast who are appearing at Joseph Rowntree Theatre this week in the project's latest venture, The Taming Of The Shrew, have appeared in Mystery Plays, including John Sharpe, who is playing Katherina.

He played one of Noah's sons in the 1996 production when Sheila Shouksmith, who is helping out with costumes after playing the Duchess of York in Richard III, was Mrs Noah.

Director Paul Toy was also assistant director to Greg Doran in the Millennium Plays.

Project founder Dr Frank Brogan, who played a devil and blind man among other parts in the Minster plays, said the project was set up to emulate the sort of community spirit which developed in the Mystery Plays.

"We took our inspiration from it and we would not be here now if it wasn't for that. Even though we are a new group, we will do all we can to keep that Mystery Play tradition of community acting going."

Updated: 08:43 Wednesday, June 18, 2003