The Bacardi Bermuda Island Calypso Review is closing down for the season at the end of this week.

The three final performances are tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, beginning at 9 p.m. in the Gazebo Lounge of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel.

The show expects to resume in March.

An obviously saddened John White, a prime mover behind the Bermuda Project of which the Calypso Island Review is part, said declining attendance figures made it financially impossible to carry on any longer this season.

"The show has been a tremendous success except financially, and we are about $35,000 under break-even, but we will come roaring back next March," he said.

Ironically, the Island-flavoured show, designed primarily to entertain visitors, has received most of its support from locals, which Mr. White says is a clear indication that visitor spending is not what it once was. "Sixty-eight percent of our audience was local, which shows that, for some reason, the visitors we are getting today don't want to come out and spend money on a show. We were having trouble with their numbers even before September 11," he said. "The Hamilton Princess sent us 120 visitors in total, and we are right in the hotel."

Of the Calypso Island Review itself, which opened to rave reviews in August, Mr. White had nothing but praise.

"It's been a great show and we worked very hard. The cast have been wonderful," he said. "It was the cheapest show in town, but the economy is so depressed at the moment we just can't stay open." For further information/table reservations ( 298-2020.