Though they played to rave reviews all over North America last year, Malathini and the Mahotella Queens ran up against two insurmountable challenges on their opening night in Bermuda -- a sterile environment and a demure crowd.

The same thing that has undoubtedly brought other, less reserved, audiences to their feet -- namely a driving and repetitive beat -- was merely monotonous in the barren atmosphere of the Southampton Princess's convention hall.

One could understand the band's appeal. In the proper setting, a packed hall with no seats, a sweaty crowd caught up in the unrelenting rhythm and edging ever closer to the stage, the effect would be electric.

But it's a long way from Soweto to Southampton. Before a few hundred privileged Bermuda residents, politely observing instead of taking part, the result was something less than dramatic.

Not that the evening was a loss. It was a treat to see a musical group whose roots are grounded in a culture so very different from our own. And "Queen'' Hilda Tloubatla's dialogue between songs was both amusing and enlightening, though a few descriptions of what the songs were about would have been helpful.

The group has been together since 1964. Mahlathini, whose voice has earned him the nickname "Lion of Soweto'', is now 57 years old and still dancing. The Queens (one of whom was home in hospital) are all over 50 years old. That bit of information brought applause from a crowd suitably impressed by the high level of energy they maintained throughout.

Festival organisers are to be congratulated for having had the vision to bring in a group as extraordinary as this. But next time more attention should be paid to the setting. Atmosphere should always be included in the cost of the ticket. Maybe the Clay House Inn, or one of the soccer fields, somewhere where members of the crowd can loosen their collars, have a glass of beer and get into the spirit of it all.

And speaking of beer ... At one point during the evening Hilda joked the band had played so many gigs recently she couldn't remember where they were.

Well, all she had to do was walk out into the foyer where a CAN of beer, which she would've had to get from the bar herself, could be had for the obscene sum of $5.20! Then she would have known, without doubt, she'd come to Bermuda.

-- Steve Mundy QUEENS OF BERMUDA -- Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens played the Southampton Princess this weekend for the Bermuda Festival.