Members of THE Company are currently in rehearsal for their upcoming production, a drama in three acts entitled, `What's Her Story?'. This is the company's third production in a year. It all began with `Shis Got Issues', a poetry-based theatre piece dealing with a variety of women's issues, particularly in Bermuda. In July, for the Emancipation Day celebrations in St. George's they performed, in the square, the historically hilarious `Sticking to the Wicket'.

According to writer and director of the play, veteran all-round thespian Patricia Pogson, `What's Her Story?' follows on from `Shis Got Issues' because it deals with infidelity - an issue she claims women face more than men.

Ms Pogson said: "It's normal for a woman to believe that when she meets the man who is to be her husband that they will live together happily ever after, `til death do us part, as the vows say."

She likened the play to a patchwork quilt of stories of women dealing with infidelity. The stories are all true, with the names changed to protect the individuals. All characters except one are based on actual Bermudians.

The play begins with a prologue with Cliff Zuill, played by musician Shine Hayward, standing outside a chapel just before his wedding as his groomsmen challenge him about the sincerity and honesty of his wish to marry Diedra. His proclamations of undying love and fidelity fizzle out after three years when he begins a relationship with a Christian woman. This unwed mother is faced with issues of her religion and church life and how the relationship will affect her faith.

Another issue that the play tackles is the dearth of available men in Bermuda and the infighting among women who are sharing the same man.

Pogson said that the play is a bit like a soap opera with a number of interwoven stories, with characters connected by the fact that they share the same beauty salon - Something Special. Here Leighsa Darrell-Augustus as Delight, the busybody receptionist, and comedian Nadanja Bailey as Norman the flamboyant homosexual hairdresser, supply some of the comic foil needed to give moments of relief to such heady subject matter.

Mr. Bailey explained, "I know that a lot of times people don't really want to see that anymore but that character is also someone that actually lives here in Bermuda. He is real and he is a very loveable character."

In addition to the storylines dealing with the difficulty that women in Bermuda experience in finding viable partners there are characters grappling with sexuality and perception, change of life pregnancy, adolescent sexuality, divorce and ageing.

Complimenting the experienced performers already mentioned are some new faces including Terry Pringle, Delores Glasford and Julie K. Darrell. Xenia Dill will appear in the leading role. Robert Somner has been cast as Buddy the Best Man, a significant and pivotal character.

Jonathan (Stalk) Trott of Spanish Town International is responsible for set design and Tyrone Smith, who had a major role in last year's `Island Sistahs' is producer. Tyrone also has a small role as the "never to be married" man that every woman thinks she should have.

Patricia Pogson is assured that even with all of the information mentioned audiences will be surprised at how some of the situations resolve themselves and will leave having to draw their own conclusions in other cases.

The show runs from April 4 to 6 at City Hall Theatre with a Sunday matinee. Tickets can be purchased at the City Hall box office from March 25, noon - 2.30 p.m.. Telephone 295-5943 or 295-6933.