SEATTLE -- A smash in California, New York and in its third season in London's West End, The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) by Jess Borgeson, Adam Long, and Daniel Singer opens May 27 as the final mainstage production of The Empty Space's 28th season, directed by Space artistic director Eddie Levi Lee.

"As soon as I saw the script", says Lee, "I recognized kindred spirits. It's crazy, it's fun and it's also smart. It offers great roles for the kind of actors I like to work with; performers with a high level of technical skill, who are willing to go out on a limb."

The play, which was nominated for a 1997 Olivier award as Best Comedy covers all 37 of the Bard's play and sonnets in 97 minutes. The comedies all take place simultaneously as the authors feel they are impossible to tell apart, and the histories are presented as a sort of gigantic football game.

The trio of actors cast in this tour de farce are Peter Crook, Bruce Holmes, and Jeffrey Treadwell.

Regular performances are May 27-June 28, 1998. Performances are at 7:30 PM Tues.-Thurs. evenings, 8 PM Fri.-Sat. evenings, and 7 PM Sun. evenings with 2 PM matinees alternating on Sat. And Sun. The Empty Space is located at 3509 Fremont Ave N. For tickets ($12 previews; $14-24 regular performances) call (206) 547-7500.

-- By David-Edward Hughes
Seattle Correspondent