by AMY BARRATT

Is the text recently discovered in a hidden chamber of the Rex theatre really a previously unknown play by William Shakespeare? And if so, what is the Bard doing in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue? These, and many other intriguing questions, will be elucidated, if not strictly answered, when Repercussion Theatre stages The Lost Play from July 16 in parks around the city.

The 16-year-old Shakespeare in the Park company moved into new digs this year in a former vaudeville house, the Rex, which had fallen into disrepair. In the process of renovating the building, says artistic director Cas Anvar, they discovered "a creepy stone chamber" right underneath the stage. He believes it may have been used as a speakeasy in the 1920s.

This may sound far-fetched to some readers, but the three actors from last year's production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged, came to Anvar saying they had discovered this lost Shakespeare text in the hidden chamber. The trio - Jacob Richmond, Tadhg McMahon and Paul van Dyck - subsequently adapted the work and will be performing it for Repercussion crowds throughout the summer. They also have on board a director who is no stranger to Shakespeare adaptations, Alain Goulem of Clowns Gone Bad, the evil geniuses behind MöcShplat. Goulem also directed The Collected Works.

According to Anvar, The Lost Play contains references to many familiar characters from other Shakespeare plays. Because of this, he speculates that it is either Shakespeare's first work, and full of foreshadowing, or his last, laden with tributes to himself. The Lost Play apparently contains elements of comedy, tragedy, and history as well as - something of a departure for Shakespeare and sure to be a great source of excitement to scholars - musical theatre.

The discovery of The Lost Play comes at a fortunate time for Repercussion. The company has been struggling ever since the U.S. leg of their annual tour was cut short and revenues dried up following 9/11. Things were so financially precarious last year that they weren't even sure they'd have a season, but by scaling back to a three-person show with minimal production values, they were able to mount a Montreal tour. This year, while keeping the cast small, they have been able to restore many of the design elements that have marked Repercussion shows over the years. Although so far the play is only scheduled to play parks in and around Montreal, Anvar is hoping that the excitement around this world premiere will eventually lead to a national tour.

But that's far from his only big vision. Having acquired a permanent, if somewhat dilapidated home in the Rex, the nomadic company is branching out. Never fear: Shakespeare in the Park will not be moving indoors, but within a couple of years, Anvar hopes to be programming a full season of theatre, music and dance at the Rex, some produced by Repercussion, most brought in by rental groups. The idea is for the theatre to be community-based and community run. Repercussion has also formed a liaison with the theatre department of nearby John Abbott College to share resources.

And there's more: Once the Rex is established, Anvar wants to build an outdoor amphitheatre, also in Ste-Anne, to produce an International Festival Under the Stars, devoted to the Classics.

In the meantime, there's that Shakespeare mystery to solve. Go make up your own mind about The Lost Play's authenticity in a park near you.

Shakespeare: The Lost Play opens July 16, 8pm, in the Mount Royal Cemetery, 916-PARK or www.shakespeareinthepark.ca for details of the tour

>> Stage Listings