DESIRE IN 'PLAY' IS HARDLY MUTED.

Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Critic

TWO CERTAINTIES known by Matthew Bourne:

A basement utility table makes for a very exciting trysting spot.

And you should never, ever tread on a manservant's last nerve. OK, admittedly, that second tidbit of wisdom actually comes from Harold Pinter and Robin Maughman, screenwriter and original author of ``The Servant,'' a film about freewheeling sex and class topsy-turvydom in 1960s Britain. And Bourne, the British director and choreographer who has made a name for himself reimagining dance standards in steamy and exciting new ways (bare-chested males of ``Swan Lake,'' anyone?) never seems to lack a locale for lust (``The Car-Man,'' anyone?).

All the same, Bourne's latest, the pulse-rushing but confusing ``Play Without Words,'' a narrative dance piece inspired by ``The Servant,'' may set new heights for hormonal energy. The aforementioned encounter between an upper-class British drone named Anthony and his maid, Sheila, is a breathtaking demonstration of acrobatics, heat and carnal energy. Only a man with Bourne's imagination - and his performers' dexterity - could find ways to make body parts connect with body parts in that fashion. (Settle down, folks! It's balletically done and there's no exposed skin.)

That scene concluded, we get an equally sexy pas de deux between Anthony's fiancee, Glenda, and his old friend Speight. Times three, no less. Then we get guilt - over what, I'm not exactly certain. And a kind of classic payback. As the title promises, not a word is spoken throughout the entire evening. Except when manservant Prentice flips on the telly and hears a news report concerning mass murder.

What precisely is going on here? Familiarity with ``The Servant,'' Dirk Bogarde and the swinging sensibilities of the 1960s might be helpful. There's a decidedly Austin Powers-ish party guest at Anthony's New Year's Eve bash (Yeah baby!) and the goings-on - or getting it on - seem equally exciting upstairs or downstairs. As the evening draws on, an emboldened Speight (played with a rough grace by Ewan Wardrop) blindfolds Anthony, makes an overt pass at Glenda and lets Anthony grope his way toward - who else? - Sheila the maid. Anthony finds her, and finds her willing. In full view of Glenda. Who is quickly shown out.

Bourne is muddying the waters slightly - or challenging our interpretive abilities - by double or triple casting all of the roles and having encounters between Anthony and Sheila, Anthony and Glenda, Speight and Glenda, etc., occur simultaneously, with slightly different variations or outcomes. What's it all about? Again, it's not always quite clear, but it's a kick to witness. As one Anthony is undressed by Prentice No. 1, a second is helped into the identical suit by Prentice No. 2. Cheekily done.

Prentice - played with the same sourpuss mien by Scott Ambler, Steve Kirkham and Eddie Nixon - is the household's ultimate power broker, the person who peeks through windows, keeps assignations and knows where every item is kept. His hand may tremble in fury over an Anthon slight, but he'll turn the tables.

The action plays out against a skewed vista of British landmarks and a rotating, hollowed-out staircase with swinging double doors designed by Lez Brotherton and moodily lit by Paule Constable. Musical director Michael Haslam guides a five-piece band through Terry Davies' moaning, sax-heavy score. As sweaty and sexed up as the cast members get, the music is a perfect aphrodisiacal enhancement.

Over-interpretation may be misplaced for this performance. Best to just soak in the moves, the players, that sultry score and one Bourne-to-be-wild evening.

Evan Henerson, [phone]

evan.henerson(at)dailynews.com

MATTHEW BOURNE'S PLAY WITHOUT WORDS - Three and one half stars

Where: Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; through May 29.

Tickets: $30 to $85. Call [phone].

In a nutshell: Slightly too cool for the room, but the movement of Matthew Bourne's dancers is certainly hot.