FTE founder and artistic director Bruce W. De Les Dernier is overjoyed at the success of the Shakespeare Festival—it's the realization of a lifelong dream for him.

"It was always my dream to start a theater company like this," he remembers. "And now it is 11 years old."

In such nerve-wracking times as the current economy brings, he said, to see audiences turn out in such numbers as they have so far this year is incredible.

"I'm blown away by this year's attendance," he said, between signing autographs for satisfied audience members after Saturday night's performance. He reported happily that the night marked four sold-out audiences within five shows so far this season, and even the one show that wasn't sold out had 180 out of 250 seats full. "If this keeps up, it will mean an approximate 40 percent increase from season one to season two, even after the ticket price increase." He reported this year's increase in ticket prices was due to the continuous high cost of putting on the productions.

This year's festival includes two classic Shakespeare plays, Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night, and the premiere of a brand new, original work written by FTE staff writer Mark Pickens, entitled Legends of Arthur and Merlin. This unique play is performed as a series of four tales spun by the mythical Merlin, who acts as the show's narrator, about the adventures of Arthur, beginning with his days as a scribe, up to and after he is crowned King. Audiences of all ages appeared to enjoy the original play immensely on Saturday night.

"The play is very entertaining," said Los Gatos resident Karen Lekashman, who attended the show with her husband, John, and friends the McCoy family, also from Los Gatos. This is the third season both families have been coming to the festival.

"It's so great having theater in your backyard, at an affordable price," added McCoy. Even her kids loved the show.

"I liked the sword fights, how they were planned, and the costumes were awesome," said 11-year-old Brian McCoy.

"I really liked the parts about the sword Excalibur," said his brother, Michael McCoy, 7 years old.

Audiences also seemed impressed by the performance of Los Gatos Mayor Steve Glickman, who played the part of King Mark in the show. This was the mayor's first time acting in the festival. A quote in the biography section of the program jokes, " ... contrary to the custom in California, he was a politician before he was an actor."

"I've enjoyed every second of it," says Glickman of his time acting in this year's festival.

Also joining this year's ensemble cast is local Jane Goldsmith, who will be a sophomore at Los Gatos High School in the fall. She plays the roles of a gentlewoman in Twelfth Night, Outcake in Much Ado About Nothing, and a servant/messenger in Legends of Arthur and Merlin.

"I'm having a blast," she says. Goldsmith said De Les Dernier offered her a spot in the ensemble's cast this year after she attended his summer conservatory class.

The final Los Gatos performances of this year's festival are this weekend, before it moves on to its next location in Humboldt County. All performances begin at 8 p.m. and take place at Oak Meadow Park. This week's scheduled performances are Twelfth Night on July 29 and Aug. 1, Legends of Arthur and Merlin on July 30, and Much Ado About Nothing on July 31. Ticket prices range from $15 to $18 for adults, and $10 to $12 for youths 18 years and younger and senior citizens.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Festival Theatre Ensemble's website at www.festivaltheatreensemble.org or call 408.996.0635.