In conjunction with the du Maurier World Stage Festival, Harbourfront Centre is presenting four readings by major playwrights. The material has not been announced.

On April 22, Britain's David Hare joins Canada's Judith Thompson. Hare is one of Britain's fringe playwrights who has made the leap into mainstream acceptance. Beginning in the 1970s as co-founder of Portable Theatre, he went on to write a series of provocative and insightful plays, including Plenty, Map of the World, Racing Demon and his two most recent scripts, Amy's View and The Judas Kiss; they both made him this past season's theatrical darling in London, England.

Judith Thompson is known for her abrasive, edgy investigations of the fringes of society. From the early Crackwalker and I Am Yours, to White Biting Dog and the more recent Sled, Thompson has been hailed for her literary a rtistry and deeply disturbing psychological truths.

Hare will read It should be one heck of a double bill.

On April 29 Andrew Moodie and Colleen Wagner team up for the evening. Moodie is author of the hit show Riot and this year's Oui, both at Factory Theatre. He has another three plays to his name and is also an actor. Colleen Wagner is author of The Monument, among other works. She won the 1996 Governor General's Awared for that script. Wagner is also a playwright in residence at Canadian Stage Company and is working on a new play called Home.

The Harbourfront Reading Series is on April 22 & 29. Call 416-973-4000 for tickets. By Mira Friedlander
Canadian Correspondent