THE future of an ambitious project to stage all the Shakespeare plays is in doubt after the resignation of its director.

The York Shakespeare Project, involving about 80 people, has postponed its first play, Richard III, which was scheduled to open on April 24 at the Grand Opera House.

The production is off until October after the shock departure of Ben Naylor and production manager Anthony Bryce.

The director's resignation came after a dispute over whether Mr Bryce should be paid for his services.

Chairman Frank Brogan said: "It was something of a shock to say the least. The cast were very upset about the situation."

The project, which plans to stage all 37 Shakespeare plays in city centre venues over the next 20 years, has Dame Judi Dench among its patrons. It has also received a £5,000 grant to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Mr Brogan said: "The crux of the matter came when Ben wanted the project to pay £2250 to Anthony Bryce. As we are a charity and publicly funded and had budgeted a certain amount for a professional director, we refused."

The project has called a general meeting to discuss the problem. The group has drawn up a list of local directors they plan to approach to take over.

Mr Brogan added: "It is a learning experience. We are as determined and as committed as ever."

Former director Ben Naylor said: "The York Shakespeare Project aren't deeply interested in putting on theatre of a professional quality, they are interested in talking about it. I travelled up from London to put on Shakespeare, not sit in committee meetings."

"I just wanted to direct Richard III and they put me in a situation where I really couldn't. They should without a doubt have agreed to employ a professional production manager. Anthony had 25 years professional experience and they should have given him a contract.

"It's an awful situation. The cast have been left without a production."

Retired vicar of Clifton, the Rev Robin Fletcher was to play the Archbishop of York in the initiative's first ever production, Richard III.

Mr Fletcher said of Mr Naylor's resignation: "I feel sadness and regret. He is a great guy. I was surprised and extremely disappointed. It is too early for me to say whether I will be able to perform in October."

Updated: 11:48 Thursday, February 21, 2002