COUNTERFEIT SECRETS John Van Burek's Pleiades Theatre presents its third Marivaux production in as many seasons, but the law of diminishing returns has set in with a vengeance. Director Van Burek insists on a patently artificial mode of presentation and keeps his actors busier with the scenery than with their performances. His translation alternates between desiccated witticism with anachronistic slang. In the end, it all tries so hard to be stylish it winds up without any style at all. (R.O.)Runs to May 26, Tues.- Sat. 8 p.m., matinees Wed., Sat. & PWYC Sun. ($25-$35 at 366-7723). Artword Centre, 75 Portland St. SHAW FESTIVAL The Niagara On-The-Lake festival devoted to the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries is up and running with five of its 11 productions now in preview: Shaw's Caesar & Cleopatra is at the Festival Theatre, as is Sidney Kingsley's 1949 Detective Story, while Rodney Ackland's 1935 thriller The Old Ladies and Merrily We Roll Along run at the Royal George Theatre, and The Return Of The Prodigal appears at the Court House Theatre. (Openings May 21-25). Upcoming productions include Lorca's The House Of Bernarda Alba, Simon Bradbury's new play The Trial Of Charles Spencer Chaplin Esq. and Noel Coward's Hay Fever. Order online at www.shawfest.simpatico.ca or call 1-800-511-7429. STRATFORD FESTIVAL The annual Stratford, Ontario, festival of the works of William Shakespeare, contemporary drama and musicals is up- and-running with six of its 18 productions now in preview: Romeo & Juliet, My Fair Lady, and All's Well That Ends Well are all at the Festival Theatre, while The Threepenny Opera and The...

Stage: Ontario Edition