Indiana Repertory Theatre will be the first professional U.S. theatre company outside New York to perform Peter Whelan's London and Broadway play, The Herbal Bed, about the adultery trial of Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna Hall.

The drama (set in 1613) played 21 previews and 13 regular performances on Broadway in April 1998 and did not receive the acclaim of its London mounting in 1997. The Royal Shakespeare Company originated the drama in 1996.

Previews at the regional nonprofit IRT, in Indianapolis, IN, begin Feb. 10. Opening is Feb. 12. Performances continue to Mar. 6.

(The Players, an amatuer group in Providence, RI, recently staged The Herbal Bed.)

The company includes Michael Janes, Christina Apathy, Ryan Artzberger, James Edmondson, Jonathan Gillard Daly, Angela Reed (as Susanna Hall), Paul Carlin and Rebecca Mansur and Kristin Wafford (rotating in the role of the Susanna's only child). Risa Brainin directs. Designers are Russell Metheny (set), Kim Krumm Sorenson (costume), Michael Klaers (lighting).

Other plays by author Whelan, an Honorary Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company, include Worlds Apart (1987) and The School Of The Night (1993).

Tickets are $17.50-$33.50. IRT is at 140 W. Washington St. in downtown Indianapolis. Call (317) 635-5252.

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Continuing through Feb. 27 at the IRT Upperstage is the world premiere drama-with-music, Captive Heart, about Quaker girl Frances Slocum, who was abducted by Delaware indians in Pennsylvania in 1778. Jeff Hooper is the playwright; songs and underscoring are by Bob Lucas.

The company includes Mark Goetzinger, Harrison Lowe, Bill Christopher Myers, Jane Paradise, Jeff Keel, Sam Bartlett.

Lynne Perkins directs on a set designed by Rob Koharchik. Sherry A. McFadden is costume coordinator and Betsy Cooprider-Bernstein designed lights.