When Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals comes to town it is a sure sign that Spring has arrived.

The latest Pudding, The Jewel of Denial, opens at City Hall tonight for a five-night run, and promises to be yet another successful concoction of rollicking fun and puns.

Set in London in 1900, the plot revolves around the theft of the world's most priceless gem, The Jewel of Denial, for which a large reward is offered. Quite naturally, this sets off a fortune-finding frenzy among the locals, during which the ancient legacy of the Jewel is revealed. Soon a 4,000-year-old Pharoah and his ex-wife join the search to restore the Jewel to its rightful home.

A famous detective, an evil imperialist thief and his split-personality accomplice, an overblown game hunter and a downtrodden American circus are all part of the timeless tale of greed, passion and flambuoyant peacocks which stretches from Piccadilly to the pyramids.

As always, the script will be laden with excruciating puns and double-entendres (twice as many as usual, according to one US critic), and the overall shenanigans will include robust music, superb costumes and scenery, and the celebrated kick line.

Former Harvard undergraduate and Hasty Pudding Theatricals participant Dan Ring returns as Music Director. How, we asked, does it feel to be a paid professional this time around? "I find there isn't as much change in my perspective as I thought there would be,'' he says. "I am still committed to putting on as professional a show as possible.'' Indeed, Mr. Ring says his new role has served as a reminder of just how important teamwork between the band and cast are.

"The band and cast must truly work together as a team, both during work and off time,'' he explains. "The lines of demarcation between cast, tech, business, and band are nearly non-existent since we have always worked together in a spirit of true community.

"Once a run begins, the fruits of our collective labours are self-evident in the quality of the production -- a musical, comedic, theatrical experience our audiences will not likely forget.'' For Robert Schlesinger, acting in The Jewel in Denial will be a bittersweet experience as it is his fourth and last performance with Hasty Pudding Theatricals, and therefore his last trip to Bermuda as a cast member.

"Many of my fondest memories involve Bermuda,'' he says. "Whether enjoying the beautiful beaches, a jaunt into Hamilton on my moped, or the generous hospitality everywhere on the Island, my trips to Bermuda each year have been an integral part of my Hasty Pudding experience.

"During my first year as a member of the show, I listened as returning company members told stories of their memories on the Island, and now as a senior in the cast I tell my own stories to new members eager to know what their Bermuda experience will be like.'' Of course, it is not all work and no play for the Hasty Puddings Theatricals troupe -- they also welcome time to have fun in the sun.

"The trip is a chance for everyone to relax and socialise away from the pressures of schoolwork at Harvard,'' Mr. Schlesinger confirms.

As always, proceeds from the Bermuda performances are given to a local charity, and this year Hasty Pudding Theatricals has chosen the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation as the beneficiary.

Jewel in Denial runs from tonight through April 3 excluding Sunday, April 2.

Tickets ($22) are available at the Visitors' Service Bureau from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily (tel. 295-1727), and also at the City Hall box office from 7 p.m.

on performance nights (tel. 292-2313).

Cast a-glow: Members of Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals' current production gather for a photocall. Tonight's opening follows a successful run in the US.

Attired Trio: (left to right) Cary Abigstick (Shawn Snyder), Denise Ovanuncle (Ben Forkner), and Scott Linyard (Bryan Leach) focus their sights on the missing Jewel of Denial.