Almeida Theatre Company, the London troupe setting a standard for innovative productions in the West End, has announced a 1996-97 season full of star turns, including Diana Rigg in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Ralph Fiennes in David Hare's adapation of Chekhov's Ivanov.

The Almeida also will host performances by Dublin's Gate Theatre and Edinburgh's Communicado Theatre Company.

Here is a precis of the season:

* Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? -- Diana Rigg and David Suchet star in Edward Albee's 1963 drama about a calamitous marriage. Howard Davies, who staged Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Translations on Broadway will direct. Rigg starred in the acclaimed 1992 Medea that transferred to Broadway. John Napier (Sunset Boulevard) will do the sets. Sept. 11-Oct. 26.

* A Midsummer Night's Dream -- Jonathan Miller, former writer for Beyond the Fringe and artistic director of the Old Vic, will direct a revival of Shakespeare's classic, starring Angela Thorne as Titania. Nov. 28-Feb. 1. * Ivanov -- Ralph Fiennes, whose Almeida production of Hamlet moved to Broadway and won him the Tony Award, will star in the title role of Anton Chekhov's play, in David Hare's new adaptation, directed by Jonathan Kent, who also directed Hamlet. Feb. 6-April 5.

* Happy Days -- Dublin's Gate Theatre will present its revival of Samuel Beckett's drama. Oct. 29-Nov. 9.

* Cyrano de Bergerac -- Communicado Theatre Company of Edinburgh will present its revival Edmond Rostand's play, as adapted by Edwin Morgan. Nov. 12-23.

Ticket prices vary from show to show, generally 6.50(pounds) to 19.50(pounds). Discounts are available for students, senior citizens, groups and the unemployed. For tickets or information: 0171-359-4404.