You'll see England, you'll see France -- and a Mamet play, too, if you're a subscriber to the 1997-98 season at Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara, CA. Five productions will comprise the new season, which runs from Oct. 10, 1997 to July 26, 1998.

Here's the line-up:
AN INSPECTOR CALLS. J.B. Priestley's 1946 dark satire takes place on a rainy night in 1912 as an inspector questions a rich family about a young woman's suicide. (Oct. 10-Nov. 9)

A LIFE IN THE THEATRE. David Mamet's wry look at an older actor slowly being upstaged by his protegee. (Dec. 5, 1997-Jan. 4, 1998)

THE SECRET RAPTURE. David Hare's story of a gentle career-woman forced by her family to upgrade to the dog-eat-dog world of business. (Feb. 13-March 15, 1998).

INDISCRETIONS. Jean Cocteau's darkly Oedipal farce, Les Parents Terribles, given a critically acclaimed translation/adaptation by Jeremy Sams. (May 1-May 31, 1998) JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS. Go on a carousel with the songs and characters of Jacques Brel in this internationally-known revue of the late composer's tunes. (June 26-July 26, 1998).
Also on tap for the season will be an October production of Diane Samuels' drama, Kindertransport, about a Jewish child shuttled from Germany to safety in England in 1939. The show will coincide with a touring exhibition titled, "Anne Frank In The World: 1929-1945."

ETC of Santa Barbara is the town's longest-running professional resident company, founded in 1979 and housed at the Alhecama Theatre. For subscriptions ($85 and up; discounts for students and seniors) and information on Ensemble Theatre Company call (805) 962-8606.

--By David Lefkowitz