THE Royal Shakespeare Company is about to collaborate with the northern cult comic Viz in a bid to widen the Bard's appeal.

The RSC revealed it is to join forces with the Newcastle-based Viz which has given life to cult cartoon characters such as The Fat Slags and Sid the Sexist.

The surprise liaison by the RSC is part of its efforts to demonstrate Shakespeare's relevance to today's world as well as promoting its forthcoming season of his comedies.

The company approached Viz co-editor Graham Dury who has visited Stratford-upon-Avon several times to talk to cast members and stage crew.

Audiences, however, will not be confronted with the spectacle of heavy drinking northerner Sid the Sexist treading the boards. Viz's own cartoonists are about to start sketching backstage staff at the RSC.

The illustrations will be used as backdrops on sets in several of Shakespeare's comedies.

One of Dury's partners, Simon Thorp, commenting on the link-up, said: "We don't know anything about Shakespeare."

He added, however, that he did think Viz and Shakespeare had something in common - some, he said, would say their works both contained jokes which were a bit dated.