The Sandhills Branch of the world-wide organization, The English-Speaking Union, will be celebrating the opening of their season on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at The Country Club of North Carolina.

Dr. Vertrees Hollingsworth and his wife, Alice, will present a program, "Shakespeare and Us," vignettes from two of Shakespeare's most beloved plays, "MacBeth" and "The Taming of the Shrew."

This program will serve as an illustration and emphasize the chapter's direction to embrace the inspiration and beauty of The Bard and his language.

The couple enjoy distinguished careers in theater and the musical arts. Alice has been extensively involved in theatrical productions, as actress, sound/lighting technician, director and organizer. She has performed Miss Marple in "Something's Afoot" and as Lady MacBeth in "The Scottish Play." She currently serves as chairman of the Sandhills Theatre Company Board of Directors.

Vertrees is a family physician and retired naval officer, a former medical school teacher and a hospital administrator. As the "fifth child of a playwright/poetess," he claims to have been performing since the age of six. He has played in Shakespearean theater, ("The Tempest," "Two Gentleman of Verona," "MacBeth"), popular musicals, ("The Music Man," "My Fair Lady," "Anything Goes"), and dramatic productions, ("A Christmas Carol," "On Golden Pond," "I Remember Mama").

Nonmembers who are interested in attending this event should call Jane Galan at 215-5645 or Sue Caperton at 215-0684.

Also available to members and nonmembers is an unusual opportunity for lovers of the English language and lovers of writings of The Bard. On Sept. 23, and Sept. 24, in High Point, the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival will be presenting a program, "Shakespeare's Muse Of Fire."

"Romeo and Juliet" will be presented on Saturday evening at 8 p.m., and on Sunday afternoon, at 2 p.m., "The Taming Of The Shrew" will be presented. Before each play, Shakespearean masters will lecture.

The participants are able to take a weekend package for the entire presentation, with reservations at The Radisson Hotel or a day trip on Sunday, Sept. 24. Transportation is available from Pinehurst for the Sunday afternoon presentation. Call 295-5027 and reference the Sunday afternoon trip.

For the weekend package, call 215-9612.