More theatre: The Department of Theatre and Dance presents The Who's Tommy.

Dateline staff

Two very different Shakespearean productions are opening at UC Davis today and Thursday (May 11 and 12).

Studio 301 Productions, the university's only student-run theatre company, is presenting Julius Caesar, while the Davis Shakespeare Ensemble is presenting The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), described as "an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s 37 plays."

Julius Caesar

Typical of Studio 301 productions, Julius Caesar will be presented in an uncoventional space: the courtyard between the School of Education and Sproul Hall. (You might remember Studio 301's Macbeth, presented in the sunken interior courtyard of the Social Sciences and Humanities Building.) Michael Lutheran directs.

"The director's vision and his use of this outdoor space will make Julius Caesar seen as never seen before," Studio 301's Alison Stevenson said. "Professional fight choreography is sure to bring the action, while the drama and suspense laden in the script itself, along with these hard-working actors, is sure to have audiences captivated."

• Today-Saturday, May 11-14 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 15 — 7 p.m.
• Thursday-Saturday, May 19-21 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 22 — 7 p.m.

WHERE: School of Education courtyard, between the School of Education and Sproul Hall (click here for map showing Sproul Hall)

TICKETS: $10 general admission, $6 students. Tickets are available at the Freeborn Hall box office, telephone (530) 752-1915.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

Gia Battista directs "this wild lampoon of the Bard's comedies, histories and tragedies."

According to a news release, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) includes a lightning-speed version of Hamlet both forward and backward. "We guarantee you will be breathless with laughter!"

• Thursday-Sunday, May 12-15 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 15 — 2 p.m.
• Thursday-Sunday, May 19-22 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 22 — 2 p.m.

WHERE: Arboretum gazebo

TICKETS: $12 adults, $8 students, $5 children 12 and under. Reservations: davis.shakespeare@gmail.com.

MORE INFORMATION: Online or by e-mail, davis.shakespeare@gmail.com.