Bob Flanagan and Akira Yoshimura of last year's Rafferty Rescues the Moon reunite, this time for a puppet and masque version of the Oscar Wilde fairy tale, The Happy Prince. Adapted by Gabriel Lewis and Michael Greenlake, the production begins performances at OB's Irish Rep, Mar. 7, for an official run, Mar. 10-Apr. 4.

Flanagan and Yoshimura have extensive credits in the television industry, where the duo created the recurring character "Toonces: the Cat Who Could Drive a Car."

The Happy Prince is based on the fairy tale by Oscar Wilde and tells of a prince who, after his death, is immortalized as a statue above his city. There he is forced to observe all the ugliness and sadness he ignored during his lifetime.

Founded in 1988 by Charlotte Moore and Ciaran O'Reilly, Irish Repertory Theatre took a big leap four years ago when they moved into their charming, jewel-box home The W.Scott McLucas Theatre on West 22nd St. Among their most notable productions have been a Harold Prince-directed Grandchild Of Kings, the Tony Walton-directed Importance Of Being Earnest, The Irish...And How They Got That Way, and Brian Murray starring in Da.

For tickets or more information on The Happy Prince, call (212) 727 2737. -- By Sean McGrath