Princess.

*** It looks as if the Jabulani Repertory Company, who have added a comedy with an all-American flavour to their popular brand of after-dinner theatre , have yet another hit on their hands.

There is laugh-out-loud humour in `The Odd Couple' and Bermuda's odd pair -- Phillip Jones and Thomas Saunders -- are talented enough, not only to carry the weight of what is to all intents and purposes, a two-hander, but to put their own comic signature on roles that have been immortalised by others.

Quite an achievement.

Since its 1965 debut on Broadway, Neil Simon's modern comedy of manners has become an American classic, achieving even greater fame as a movie and TV series; Tony Randall (with Jack Klugman) has been touring the show around the US for so long and with such success that the proceeds have gone a long way in helping to fund his dream of establishing a national American theatre.

All of which must have been quite daunting for director Derek Corlett. In his directorial debut (the technically complicated `Noises Off' for BMDS), however, Corlett seemed unflappable -- and so it has proved with this production. Greatly assisted by the knowledge that Jones and Saunders have proven onstage rapport, he was able to give them full rein. The result is a play that reverberates with a rueful, and apparently timeless wit.

The story-line focuses on two heterosexual men, recently divorced who, having decided to live together, proceed to re-enact all the problems of their respective marriages. Oscar, a sports writer is, to put it mildly, something of a slob with little regard for the niceties of New York apartment-living.

His shortcomings in this department are painfully exposed when finicky Felix moves in. Even though the rows are predictable, Simon's brilliant ear for comic dialogue never loses its sparkle and Corlett also understands the value of visual humour -- napkins, for instance, being tucked (almost) under the chins of surprised, beer swilling, ash-flicking, poker-playing guys as they assemble for their weekly game at Oscar's place.

Murray, Speed, Roy and Vinnie are the quartet of supporting players who, sitting in a haze of cigar smoke, set the scene for the fun to come. Dal Tucker (stepping in at the last moment), Mike Hind and Stuart Doyle, all of whom cope adequately enough with the repartee and one-liners, could still raise the laughter temperature a few more notches once they have settled into their roles (one of the wonderful bonuses of `rep' is witnessing this progression). Barry Brechman, a newcomer to Bermuda's thespian ranks, certainly makes an impact as the no-nonsense New Yorker.

Thomas Saunders (Oscar) has that rare talent of projecting complete naturalness, as if he really is unaware of the mess and clutter of his life.

Phillip Jones, on the other hand, provides the perfect foil as the obsessive neat-freak who moves to impose a completely different kind of havoc. There are some wonderfully climactic scenes between these two as they live out, and ultimately disgust each other with their clashing, idiosyncratic life-styles.

The weakest part of the play -- and this comes down to direction -- lies in the roles of Gwendolyn (Sharron Petty) and Cecily (Vicky Weth). As two giggly, hearts-of-gold sisters from England, they are frankly over the top, with exaggerated speech and gestures which, at times, threaten the veracity of this marvellously crafted comedy. There is always a temptation for beginners to overact: someone, hopefully the director, must convince them that less is always more.

Once again, Richard Klesniks' set is superbly realistic. Altogether, a laughter-filled night at the theatre which should prove very popular with both residents and visitors alike.

PATRICIA CALNAN ODD GOINGS-ON -- The cast of Neil Simon's `The Odd Couple', now playing at the Hamilton Princess, includes (left to right) Sharon Petty, Stuart Doyle, Dal Tucker, Barry Brechman, Mike Hind, Vicky Weth and (in front), the odd couple -- Thomas Saunders and Phillip Jones.