Have you ever sat and pondered about what theatre is lacking today? Then, after careful thought, came the perfect answer: gorgeous women in all-out physical combat.

Your prayers have been answered. A new company called the Lady Cavaliers present their first production in the world premiere of Peter Hilton's Gloria at the Theatre for the New City Oct. 5-21 in lower Manhattan.

In this all-female swashbuckling new tale in verse, a young princess journeys to find the truth take her on a voyage of fantasy complete with rebellious prostitutes, magical trees, heroic nuns, and a thwarting beast.

Alexandra Ornitz directs the production with fight choreography by David Dean Hastings which includes stage combat that varies from rapiers, daggers, and quarterstaves to candlesticks and kangaroo hide bullwhips. Gloria contains original music and sound design by Robert Kaplowitz, costumes by Christianne Myers, and lights by Diane D. Fairchild.

The Lady Cavaliers was created by Carrie Brewer when, as she says in a statement, she "saw how many women in New York City have extraordinary stage combat skills and rarely get a chance to use them." For Gloria they put out a call for "female actors who fight" and cast the show with Kittson O'Neill, Bevin Kaye, Judy Lewis, Barbara J. Spence, Jennifer Loia Alexander, Amanda Barron, Denise Alessandria Hurd, Danya Steinfeld, and Carey Van Driest. Ornitz and Brewer also appear in the show along with executive producer Bevin Kaye who states that the show is not anti- male but is designed to give women their chance to show off their combat skills. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Theatre for a New City, 155 First Ave. (At 10th Street), or call to reserve your seats at (212) 726-8301. For the Lady Cavaliers website, log on to www.geocities.com/ladycavaliers.

-- by Ernio Hernandez