when he directs "The Merry Wives of Windsor'' for the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society (BMDS) this July.

"I thought that in this 50th anniversary year, I would choose a work which wholeheartedly celebrates the Bermudian way of life -- and my version of "The Merry Wives of Windsor'' does just that!,'' explains Mr. Froomkin who starred as Che Guevara in last year's production of "Evita''.

By transporting what he calls a wild comedy about small-town English life to 1950s Bermuda, he intends, he says, to celebrate the Island's passion for fun, family, love and gossip.

Now the search is on for a cast.

"We need all the local talent we can find to stage this play,'' stresses Mr.

Froomkin. "We shall be requiring a cast of actors from all ethnic backgrounds, accents and ages in order to create a true representation of Bermuda's cultural melting pot. "The main goal,'' he explains, "is to make the play as accessible and funny as possible for audiences who are not too familiar with Shakespeare. You could say the energy will be kind of Lucille Ball meets Benny Hill.'' Froomkin, who is just completing a double degree in acting and set design at the University of California's Conservatory of Acting in Los Angeles where he has already won several awards, is anxious to reassure anyone who may feel nervous about auditioning for a Shakespearean play: "Please don't be! This is a comedy, the characters are delightful and I intended to make the rehearsals a very happy experience with a lot of laughs along the way. The last thing I want is a bunch of people moping around like they're trying out for Hamlet!'' He says dancers and children should audition since they will play an integral part.

"The Merry Wives of Windsor'', one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies about middle-class suburbia, infidelity, jealousy, thrift, lust and humour, will be staged at Daylesford Theatre from July 21 through 29. Auditions are May 18-20. For an appointment call producer Donna Froomkin at 293-3654.

NEW PRODUCTION -- Drama and set design student Mr. Joel Froomkin's project when he returns home this summer is the "Merry Wives of Windsor'', which he will be directing.