The third season of CBC Radio's "Bank of Montreal Stratford Festival Series" will open Feb. 12 and 13, 1997, with The Dark Lady Of The Sonnets.

George Bernard Shaw's play, which pits the author against William Shakesepeare, will star Cynthia Dale and Fiona Reid, along with Stratford Festival Artistic Director Richard Monette and Shaw Festival Artistic Director Christopher Newton. The readings, complete with music, sound effects and audience participation, are taped before a live audience for broadcast on CBC Radio.

Feb. 26 and 27 will bring Bernard Hopkins in the solo, Mr. Cibber Of Drury Lane, written by Graham Harley. In it, playwright Colley Cibber reminisces about a life in the theatre.

Rod Beattie and Seana McKenna will star in Yeats In Love (March 5 & 6), about the poet's great inspiration, Maude Gonne. Anne Weldon Tati's play is set against the background of Irish literature and insurrection.

Last up is Waiting For Godot, Samuel Beckett's avant-garde classic, directed by Brian Bedford. The original 1996 Stratford Festival cast will appear (March 12 & 13): Joe Dinicol, James Blendick, Tim MacDonald, Tom McCamus and Stephen Ouimette. For tickets ($10-$12 per reading; $30-$40 for the series) and information about the series, which is taped at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, call (416) 205-5555.

-- By David Lefkowitz