The 1997 season of "Discover the Lost Musicals," London's answer to the "Encores!" series in New York and the "Reprise" series in Los Angeles, gets underway May 4 with the 1949 Jule Styne musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at the Barbican Cinema in the Barbican Centre on Silk Street.

Also upcoming this summer and fall: Irvin Berlin's Face The Music, Yip Harburg's Flahooley and the Gershwins' Oh, Kay!. All performances are at 4:15 PM. The series will wrap up with a concert version of the Cole Porter musical Jubilee 7:30 PM Sept. 20 in the Barbican Hall.

Here is a rundown of the series:

* Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949) -- May 4, 11, 18, 25. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Score includes "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," "Bye Bye Baby," "I'm Just a Little Girl From Little Rock." * Face the Music (1932) -- June 8, 15, 22 and 29. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by Moss Hart. Score includes "Let Have Another Cup of Coffee', "On A Roof in Manhattan" and "Soft Lights And Sweet Music."

* Flahooley (1951) -- July 13, 20, 27 and Aug. 3. Music by Sammy Fain. Lyrics by E.Y. "Yip" Harburg. Book by Fred Saidy. The score includes "Here's To Your Illusions" and "The World Is Your Balloon." * Oh, Kay! (1926) -- Aug. 17, 24, 31 and Sept. 7. Music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin. Book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse. Score includes "Someone to Watch Over Me."

* Jubilee (1935) -- Sept. 20. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Book by Moss Hart. The score includes "Begin The Beguine," "Just One of Those Things" and "The Kling-Kling-Kling Bird on the Divi-Dive Tree."

For information: (011-44) 0171-628-3351.

-- By Robert Viagas