The 2 Fools are back, and ready to leave their fans rolling in the aisles with another collection of jokes for folks "from five to 105".

Following the success of their first show last year, 2 Fools 1, Nadanja Bailey and Jah Simmons were inspired to do it all again, and starting tonight they will present an entirely new comedy programme which will again include such favourite "characters" as the savvy vagrants, Seal and Dewars; Grandma Edness, Mr. Russell, and the PMT lady.

The duo, whose friendship and professional collaboration go back many years, have spent the past few months creating and fine-tuning their all-original material which, as any comedy writer knows, is serious business.

"We'll be doing the kind of stuff that makes people say, 'What did you finish doing just before you wrote this - were you under the influence? Did you jump from a building and then start writing?' " Mr. Simmons says, to which his partner adds: "We take real life instances or circumstances and we find the stupidity or the irritation in them and blow it right out."

Preparation for the show, which is entitled "2 Fools 2 - Still Stupid," began a few months ago when the two comedians sat and brainstormed ideas. With the basic concepts in place, the work of fleshing out and fine-tuning them then followed. Along the way, as much was accepted as was rejected, but now the pair are satisfied that they have come up with a formula which will please their audience.

"This year's harder because it's a sequel, and every time you do something like that you want to get better," Mr. Simmons says. "It's still 2 Fools, and we are bringing back some of the same characters from the previous show, but they will be doing something different."

In all, the 2 Fools will present ten acts, and they say they have kept the concept of family entertainment in mind throughout.

"There is some adult humour which children shouldn't catch on to, but it is not rude," Mr. Bailey assures. "We are very careful how we tell things because we want our show to be for everybody from five to 105."

Smart young men that they are, they have used some innovative ways of publicising their new show, with results that both surprised and amused them.

During one morning rush hour they appeared in character on the main Trimingham Hill roundabout at Crow Lane in their raggedy Seal and Dewars outfits, complete with rum and Scotch bottles, which resulted in callers phoning a talk show to complain about "those two drunk bums" causing a traffic hazard. On another day, dressed as different characters, a man on a bike mistook them for gays and screamed profanity and abuse at them.

"We look on it all as good publicity," they say.

The 2 Fools also cruised through Hamilton with a bullhorn announcing the show, and joked that their encore would be done far enough in advance that, if arrested and jailed, they'd be out in good time for tonight.

Mr. Bailey, whose main comedic influence growing up was American stand-up comic and film star Eddie Murphy, spent two years at drama school in New York. He also appeared on BET's Comedic Beat and at venues in several states in the US, and is currently working as a bartender.

Mr. Simmons, an electrical engineer who recently graduated from Virginia's Old Dominion University, also loves acting, and has produced his own shows for the past seven years. Both are popular figures on the local entertainment scene.

Speaking of their 2 Fools shows, they say: "We will do it as long as people want it."

While they are headlining the new show, the programme also includes performances by Nishanthi Bailey, Robert Somner, Melissa Furbert, Cymone Weller, 3J, and hot steppers Fabulous.

The event takes place at the City Hall Theatre tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. Show time for the first two performances is 8 p.m. sharp, and on Sunday at 6 p.m. sharp.

Tickets (patrons $30, others $20) are available at The Source, and Qui-Ja Fabric and Accessories in the Walker Arcade. Part proceeds will go to the Lupus Association of Bermuda.

There is a special bonus for tonight's audience only: they will be admitted free to an after-show party at Club 40 on presentation of ID and special proof of attendance at City Hall which they will receive tonight.

For further information call 295-9596 or 237-6501.

Caption: Messin' around: Comedians Nadanja Bailey (pink hat) and Jah Simmons in their roles as vagrants Seal and Dewars, give a taste of what's to come in their show, "2 Fools 2 - Still Stupid," which opens at City Hall theatre tonight. Photo by Tamell Simons