The fact that the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society is able to present the play, `Frozen,' at Daylesford Theatre from next Monday, October 22, represents quite a coup for director Dr. Barbara Jones.

Written by Bryony Lavery for the Birmingham Reperatory Theatre in England in 1998, Dr. Jones heard about the play through her friend Jonathan Owen, who directed the Society's pantomime last year.

"He knew of my interest in difficult and challenging plays, and he knew it would suit Daylesford's intimacy as well, so he told me about it," Dr. Jones says. "There is no published script but I managed to get hold of a working draft which I read and thought it was stunning. The agents were distinctly surprised when I asked for the rights, and I don't think it is produced anywhere else."

The play deals with the sudden death of a loved one in unbearable circumstances, but the director hastens to dispel any perception that the subject matter is "full of doom and gloom".

"Essentially, the plot follows people who are very badly hurt by loss of loved ones, and who are emotionally traumatised an aspect that is clearly drawn in the play," Dr. Jones says.

"The writing is very powerful, so the audience can share their amazing journey through loss, anger, acceptance, and finally forgiveness, and how that forgiveness frees you. You put aside the anger and the stress that is eating your soul, and you forgive and move forward, and become a whole person again and live. It is a tremendously optimistic play."

Perhaps in a nod to current events, the director says how the deaths are met has nothing to do with terrorists, but loss by "other ways of dying".

"One of the questions that is posed to the audience is, `Is serial killing a forgiveable act? Is he forgiveable or is he evil?', she hints.

Dr. Jones says her cast is a very strong one, and involves three speaking roles and one silent one.

Carol Birch has the main role of protagonist, while Canadian Janice Kennet has the second female role. Stephen Notman has the only male speaking role, while Angus Brown is the silent male.

"Carol has huge experience in local theatre, and she is a pleasure to work with because she is so confident on stage," the director says. "Janice has a lot of training in TV. She hasn't done a great deal in Bermuda but she is an accomplished actress, and I think we will be seeing more of her in future."

Of Bermudian Stephen Notman, a recent University of Toronto graduate, Dr. Jones says: "He is a very powerful actor who has obviously got theatre in his blood. He is very directable, and a pleasure to work with."

As the prison guard, ex-policeman Angus Brown faces the challenge of standing on stage for a long time without uttering a sincle word, but making his presence felt nonetheless.

"It is almost more difficult than having lines, because he has to be constantly alert to what is going on without having anything specific to do," the director says.

The set is stylised and minimalist, with walls cleverly painted by artist Jon Mills to give the feeling of an ice cave.

"It is going to be very interesting to look at, and very interesting to listen to. I do hope people will come to see it," Dr. Jones concludes.

`Frozen' will be performed at Daylesford Theatre from October 22-27. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Tickets ($15) are available from the box office at Daylesford between 5.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., and on performance nights from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Telephone bookings with Mastercard and Visa are accepted during box office hours ( 292-0848. For further information e-mail Dr. Jones at doctorjibl.bm, or ( producer Peggy Kett at 293-0747.