prisoners turn their lives around despite the wrongs of their pasts.

`Time For a Change', written by Milton Watson who is serving time for manslaughter and directed by prison nurse Ms Julia Bain, was a smash with the sell-out audience.

They gave a standing ovation to the cast, a prison officer and seven inmates of Bermuda's maximum security prison Casemates, who were all on best behaviour.

A resounding "excellent'' was heard as the hundreds of theatre goers left City Hall Theatre.

"It gave the public a better understanding of inmates. You got to see their positive sides,'' said Mr. Myron Tucker, who attended out of curiosity.

Miss Sharon Burgess, who knew some of the prisoners, thoroughly enjoyed the play. "It allowed them to show the public their good talents,'' she said.

Mrs. Jackie Tyler, who went because she enjoys the theatre, said the play gave the prisoners a chance to do something positive. She said she would certainly support future plays by the prisoners.

Assistant Prisons Commissioner Mr. Randall Woolridge said extra security measures were taken around City Hall, with guards posted at each exit, but he did not expect any problems.

He supported the prisoners' effort, he said, because, "it makes them feel like part of society and gives them a chance to give something positive back.'' Ms Bain said she had already seen marked changes in the prisoners' attitudes since she helped them form a drama group last year. "The inmates seem to show more respect for each other and it has certainly helped moral at Casemates,'' she said.

Starring prisoners Stanford Archibald, Paul Johnson and American drugs prisoner Carmelo Dalgado, it told the story of a prisoner who decided to change for the better and accept he had done wrong. His bad conscience was played by armed robber Toronto Darrell, and his good conscience Colin Johnson.

The play also featured several moving songs by drugs prisoner Dexter Dillas, a former Bermuda Stroller. All the cast joined him at the end of the play in singing Heal the World.

A DIFFERENT ROLE -- Prison officers escort inmates of Casemates Prison to City Hall for their play "Time for a Change'', which played to a sell-out audience last night. Pictured (from left) officer Mr. Edmund Berkeley, Mr. KO Young, Mr. Paul Williams, officer in charge of security Mr. Dennis Hassell, officer Mr. Vernon Clarke, officer Mr. Eugene Simons, Mr. Dexter Dillas and Mr.

Toronto Darrell.