The lights dim, and with a bit of imagination suddenly it's four decades ago as you sit in your brand new Chevrolet listening to Bill Haley and the Comets "Rock(ing) Around The Clock''.

That's the idea, anyway, behind "Time Tunnel'', a 1950s and 60s rock'n'roll review showing Sunday nights in the Palm Court Club at the Sonesta Beach Hotel.

The show opens with the perennial classics "Rock Around The Clock'' and "Jailhouse Rock'', sung by Nayte Paxton, one of three male vocalists. He's joined by Vance Goater, Charles Taylor, and female vocalists Deneice Whitter, Carol Ann Williams, Oneka Paynter, and Deletta Gillespie (also a co-producer of the show and someone you might have seen singing recently as the group Jazzology makes itself known around the Island) as they take the audience through more than 40 songs spanning two decades.

Nayte might not be the next Elvis, but he puts his heart and soul into singing songs originally performed by a diverse group of artists and requiring a wide vocal range. He does an entertaining job in towel and shower cap for "Splish Splash'' complete with suds and tub.

Aside from the vocalists, the cast also includes Duane DeMellow, Jeff Marshall, Kevin Maybury (co-producer and also from Jazzology), Robert Edwards (musical director), Jack Kripl, Lionel Edwards, and Carl Schectman, comprising a three-piece saxophone and trumpet section, piano, drums, guitar and bass guitar.

While a little slow starting, the show begins to pick up a bit with The Rays' song "Silhouettes'' with a very nice a capella, finger-snapping harmonisation by four of the vocalists. The same is true of the next song, "Lil' Darlin'''.

A number of songs were done very nicely. Deletta takes the lead in "Be My Baby'' and does an excellent job. Carol Ann shone in "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?'' The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody'', sung by Charles, was a hit with the audience. And Vance displayed a depth of talent with a number of songs, not the least of which included a good impersonation of Ray Charles singing "Tell Me What I Say''.

The group really finds its niche as the show progresses into the '60s and picks up the tempo even more with a number of Motown hits such as "Respect'', "Soul Man'', "In The Midnight Hour'', "Heat Wave'', and "Baby Love''.

An amusing part of the show involves a departure from the song and dance routine where members of the audience are asked to join in and "Name That Theme'', a parody of some of the popular television game shows of the time.

Popular TV show themes of the era are played and, as the name suggests, contestants are asked to name them.

Another part of the show that's a little out of the ordinary is the use of a TV monitor in the Palm Court Club to play old television commercials in between sets, which also filled in the time for costume changes by the cast.

While novel at first and nostalgic for some, the commercial breaks, like those on TV today, may have been too frequent in spots, too long, and eventually having the effect of tending to drag the show out a bit.

Overall, "Time Tunnel'' is good and there is some real talent in the cast. If it lacks anywhere it might be in that the show tries to do too much in an hour-and-a-half.

The show is designed with the baby boom generation in mind but is suitable for all ages. And while the $25 ticket price might scare some off, it should be accepted in context with the admission price charged by some of Bermuda's other attractions.

And as the entire cast draws its pay cheque from door receipts, "Time Tunnel'' provides a nice evening's worth of entertainment and a chance for residents to get out and support local talent (only two non-Bermudians in the cast) in the midst of all the controversy currently making the rounds between local versus international entertainers.

JEFF KOLLER HAPPY DAYS -- Members of `Time Tunnel', a rock'n'roll review showing at the Sonesta Beach Hotel, strike a pose.