By Josiane Dubois, marketing and communications coordinator, Department of Theatre

The University of Utah’s Department of Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s sophisticated early comedy “Love’s Labor’s Lost,” Oct. 20-29 in Studio 115 of the Performing Arts Building, 240 S. 1500 East.

Through witty and playful banter, “Love’s Labour’s Lost” tells the story of the King of Navarre and his three court followers, who swear they will speak to no women during their three-year study period. But the instant they take that vow, the Princess of France arrives with her three captivating female attendants and all bets are off.

“’Love’s Labour’s Lost’ has more sexual innuendo, more puns – just under 200 – and more triple layers of philosophical meanings on top of the puns’ double meanings, that Shakespeare manages to out-funny bone any YouTube trender,” said Terri McMahon, guest director and artist at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Verbal promiscuity threatens the social order in the play and it’s the women who prevent the disintegration of language, insisting on fidelity between word and meaning.  

“Love’s Labour’s Lost” at a glance:

Dates and times: Previews Oct. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. Show runs Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 26-29 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Oct. 28 and 29 at 2 p.m.

Post-performance discussion: Oct. 27

Location: Studio 115 in the Performing Arts Building, 240 S. 1500 East. Parking is available in the visitor’s lot to the south of the theatre, at Rice-Eccles Stadium or in Presidents Circle.

Tickets: General Admission tickets are $18, U faculty and staff are $15, U students are free with UCard and all other students with valid student ID are $8.50. Tickets can be obtained by calling 801-581-7100, online at tickets.utah.edu or at the Performing Arts Box Office, located at Kingsbury Hall. 

Audience Advisory: Sexual Innuendos

Age Recommendations: Ages 14+