MERRILY, THIS 'DREAM' MAKES FOR GOOD THEATER.

Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Critic

No, the reigning prince of Poland isn't the duty-embracing wimp we suspect him to be after he lays down his sword to quell the uprising he has led against his father, the king. Prince Segismundo understands there is a code of behavior in the realm of politics (although Machiavelli might beg to disagree), even if you suspect reality isn't reality after all.

``Life Is a Dream,'' one of those admired but rarely performed classics of world drama by Spain's Pedro Calderon de la Barca, is in Glendale in a crackling new production by A Noise Within. Leading the charge in more ways than one is Geoff Elliott, the production's co-director - who also plays a feral yet philosophical Segismundo - along with a freshly commissioned translation by Kenneth Cavender.

A glance at earlier versions of de la Barca's 1635 play shows why most companies wouldn't want to tackle ``Dream,'' this exercise in political didacticism. A Noise Within isn't most companies. And Cavender, whose version of ``Oedipus'' played ANW a couple of years ago, is no slouch himself. In his hands, ``Dream'' feels fresh.

Combining two intersecting stories that both touch on themes of duty and betrayal, ``Dream'' begins with the disguised Rosaura (Abby Craden) arriving in Poland to settle a grudge. Traveling with her wise-acre servant Clarin (Stephen Rockwell), Rosaura stumbles upon the dark, mountain-side cell where Segismundo has been raised since birth. It seems his father, King Basilio (William Dennis Hunt), heeding prophecies, has been told that Segismundo will wreak utter havoc on the kingdom if he is allowed to assume the throne. Better to raise him in captivity than take the risk.

But now the king is having second thoughts and decides to conduct a sociological experiment. He'll restore Segismundo to the throne, convincing him that his captivity was a dream. If Segismundo demonstrates an aptitude for politics, he'll retain his birthright. If not, it's back to the dungeons, with the king's nephew Astolfo (Robertson Dean) and niece Estrella (Jill Hill) dividing the realm. In either case, Segismundo will need convincing that a certain part of his life was - you've got it - a dream. Hardly the easiest concept to grasp. Meanwhile, Rosaura, raped and jilted by Astolfo, has come to the court seeking some form of justice. She'll cross paths with her former lover and, fatefully, with Segismundo.

Those who have seen Geoff Elliott's past work with A Noise Within know how easily he can take over a production - occasionally even when it's not really dramatically appropriate to do so. His Segismundo is a snarling, self-pitying man-beast who sniffs wolflike at the first woman he meets and can reason philosophically 30 seconds later. Against considerable odds, Craden's steely Rosaura is every bit his match. ``Life Is a Dream'' is as much her play as his.

Co-directors Geoff and Julia Rodriguez Elliott don't let de la Barca's rather overt political messages get in the way of telling a smart story. The action, which also features a bunch of courtiers and Rosaura's guilt-ridden father Clotaldo (Mark Bramhall), takes place on a split-level set (designed by Michael Smith) that occasionally resembles a go-go club. Ken Booth's lighting is hazy and smoky - appropriate for a play that is constantly questioning the elusive nature of reality.

``LIFE IS A DREAM''

Where: A Noise Within, 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale.

When: 8 tonight, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 8 p.m. May 26, 2 and 7 p.m. May 27; through May 27.

Tickets: $16 to $40. Call [phone].

Our rating: Three and one half stars