Students looking for a break from studying and reality can discover a dramatic journey into the world of Shakespeare this year at Washington Hall.

The Notre Dame Film, Television and Theatre (FTT) department will bring five performances to the stage this year. From the tragedy of "Oedipus Rex" to the light-hearted comedy "Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)," novices and theatre connoisseurs alike will enjoy this year's offerings. Tom Barkes, professional specialist with the FTT encourages students to purchase a season subscription in order to enjoy the variety of styles.

"The best way to approach it is to get a season pass so you can see a lot of types of theatre," Barkes said. "The more you see, the better you understand."

The 2000-01 season has a distinct Shakespearean influence. Two of the plays, "As You Like It" and "The Winter's Tale" were written by Shakespeare while two other plays were influence by the Great Bard.

"Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)" is modern tale that weaves together the Shakespearean tragedies "Othello" and "Romeo and Juliet" into a comedy. Kathy Koch plays Constance Ledbelly, a scholar who is transported into the worlds of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Othello" with hilarious consequences.

"We just finished the read-through and everyone was laughing," stage manager Sarah Ryan said. "It's a little bawdy but a lot of fun."

While "Desdemona" may not be well-known to most college students, both "Romeo and Juliet" and "Othello" are familiar. The new situation and settings within those plays makes "Desdemona" an interesting play.

"I think it is a good play for pretty much everyone," Ryan said about the comedy that will be performed in Washington Hall from Oct. 4-8. "Most people have read Romeo and Juliet so they are going to recognize a lot of things."

Audiences might also be familiar with some of the lines in "Love's Fire." Based on seven Shakespearean sonnets, modern American playwrights put Shakespeare's words into action on the stage. Seven different love sonnets each portray a different side of love Ñ from passion and beauty to jealousy and obsession. "Love's Fire" opens Nov. 15 and runs through Nov. 19.

"Desdemona," "Love's Fire" and "Oedipus Rex" will all be performed by students. Freshman psyche majors may want to check out "Oedipus Rex" to figure out why Sigmund Freud thinks boys want to sleep with their mothers. In addition to the lessons in psychology, "Oedipus" also offers the audience one of the best examples of Greek tragedy. The proud and successful King Oedipus finds his downfall when he seeks the answers to his origin and his parents.

While both "Love's Fire" and "Desdemona" have been cast already, "Oedipus" won't be performed until the spring and won't be cast until January. See the FTT homepage at www.nd.edu/~cothweb for more information.

Although "Oedipus" is a classic example of a tragedy, Shakespeare's "The Winter Tale" is actually a comedy with some tragic elements. The main character is seized with irrational jealously and the play has many characteristics of a tragedy but ends on a happy and comedic note. Barkes, however, cautions not to expect to be rolling in the aisles laughing at "The Winter's Tale."

"It's not a laugh-out-loud comedy," he said about the play that will run Feb. 21-24. "It's part comedy and part tragedy."

"The Winter's Tale" is one of two plays that the Actors from the London Stage will perform for Notre Dame audiences this year. The group of five British actors will call Notre Dame their American home this year and perform two plays in Washington Hall. In addition to "The Winter's Tale," the Actors from the London Stage will kick off the 2000 season in Washington Hall with "As You Like It" on Sept. 14-16.

These talented professionals will bring Shakespeare's comedy to the stage with just five people playing nearly 30 roles. Despite the frequent costume changes and dialogue by one actor playing many characters, the plays are not overly complicated according to Barkes.

"The whole mission of the Actors from the London Stage is to be good storytellers," he said. "If nothing else, people will have a really good understanding of what is going on."

One actors playing many characters presents an interesting dilemma at one point in "As You Like It" when one actor must wrestle himself.

Juniors and seniors can save almost 50 percent off the single ticket price by purchasing a season subscription. For just $28.75, upperclassmen get tickets to all five performances. Freshmen and sophomores can also purchase a season subscription for $33.50. Contact Barkes for more information on subscription plans.

• A Year of Shakespeare