In an effort to develop Bermudian theatre, Stage One Productions' president, Mr. Kensley McDowall came to the conclusion that a play which highlighted one of the most forceful -- and colourful -- aspects of the Island's traditional folk heritage would be a step in the right direction.

Eager to present a play about Bermuda's Gombeys, he was, however, unable to find a writer who was willing, or able, to come up with a script. Now he has solved that problem by writing his own play. It is called `Drums of Passion', and it opens next Thursday (June 1) at City Hall Theatre for a three-night run.

"I am very glad that someone took out time to write it because it's entertaining and also gives a good educational background on the history of the Gombeys and how they evolved here,'' says the play's director, Mr. Irving Ingram Jr. "I believe,'' he adds, "that people will also find it interesting to learn about the different kinds of drums that are used to make a whole series of messages with different meanings. It think it's a part of our culture that should be kept.'' Although the play is fiction, says Mr. McDowall, his plot was sparked by an item in The Royal Gazette of January 1831, offering a reward for the return of two runaway slaves. They had apparently run off after the Gombeys during the Christmas celebrations, and from that, the author has woven a story about their two families and their master. "While telling the story of the Gombeys, the play also deals with man's insatiable passion for life, love and liberty.

It's a lively piece and I think -- and hope -- that it has a message in there, for everyone.'' Rather an unusual approach was adopted, in that Mr. McDowall wrote the initial draft and then worked with Mr. Ingram and the rest of the production team and cast "to flesh it out'' until it evolved in its present form.

The idea of staging an original play is a new departure for Stage One Productions, co-founded by Mr. McDowall and originally formed to bring top-rate black theatre to Bermuda. Last year, his `Drama Fest 94' included two plays starring John Amos and Antonio Fargas. "Now, we have a group of 15, with Irving as vice-president and we opted to do a local show, using, if possible, local material.'' Both recorded and live music is used in the production. "We have a lot of Gombey groups now in Bermuda, but I do think that a few of them have strayed some way from tradition. One of the characters in the play explains what each dance movement means, and a Gombey entertainer will try and tie in the Gombey dancing with the African drumming. I think that will help to take us back to the spiritual side, which was always an important side of the Gombey tradition,'' says Mr. McDowall. "I don't want people to think this is a glorified concert. This is an historically based drama about the lives of slaves and the way in which the whole concept of the Gombeys figured in their lives.'' Taking on the roles of the runaway slaves are Carlton Burchall and Leonard Simons. As `Busta', Mr. Burchall will be making his debut and was inspired to audition through his interest in the history of the Gombeys. Says Mr. Ingram, "He's never acted before, but he's going to be very good.'' Mr. Simons was seen in `Mazumbo' and has played with the Gombeys on saxophone, bottle and fife.

Well known actor Brian Foster, who plays the slave owner, has been involved for the past 24 years in countless local productions, while Norma Nielsen, as his wife, makes a return to the Bermuda stage after a long break.

Teenagers Roderick Nesbitt and Llewellyn Simons who take on the roles of the young sons, are both Gombey enthusiasts and, says Mr. Ingram, "both are involved in theatre at school and really show promise.'' Completing the cast are Inola Hull, who appeared in `Beef No Chicken', Aprille Choudhury, who is co-executive producer and choreographer for Chameleon Productions, and Will Smith, who joined Bermuda's Youth Theatre at the age of eight -- and has been acting ever since. John White, who has his first speaking part in this play, was last involved in theatre while he was a student at Saltus Grammar School. Mandy Lowe, who has performed in her native England and Bermuda is making her City Hall debut, and Denny Richardson, who needs no introduction, has been involved in `showbiz' since childhood and was last seen in `Mazombo'.

Both Mr. McDowall and Mr. Ingram are pleased that their production is an integrated one. "It brings a black and white cast together, which Bermuda needs. The relationship with all of the cast has been very good,'' comments the director.

"People say I'm tough, and I make no apology for that. I look for people who are really going to perform and give of themselves, so I insist on discipline.

They have to pay attention to what I'm telling them -- I won't, for instance, have people talking with their backs to the audience! And I call all the actors by their stage names to get them `into' their characters.'' Although Kensely McDowall comes from St. Vincent, he has been a Bermuda Police officer for the past 24 years. This father of two children who are away at university is himself a qualified teacher, with a B.A. in Psychology/Political Science from Queens' University in Canada and he holds an honours degree in law from the University of London.

His love of theatre goes back to childhood and he first became involved here back in 1979, through the influence of the late Hastings Saltus. Ever since, he has been at the forefront of efforts to introduce the culture of the Caribbean to the people of Bermuda. He is perhaps most proud of having introduced theatre into the activities of the Bermuda West Indian Association.

As a West Indian, Mr. McDowall sees a close similarity between the Gombeys of Bermuda, Jamaica's `John Canoe', the Bahamas' Jankanoo, the Big Drum Dances in the Grenadines and the well-known Masquerades of the islands of Montserrat, St. Vincent, St.Kitts and Nevis. Tracking down the history of the Bermudian Gombey dancers and musicians has been, he says, a long, but often, very rewarding experience.

Director Irving Ingram has been deeply involved in theatre since his school days, having both written and directed such productions as `Coming Together' for Friswells Hill United. In 1992 he appeared in Derek Walcott's `Beef No Chicken' and was stage manager for `Drama Fest '94'.

As director of the play, he compares himself with an evangelist minister.

"Just as an evangelist goes out to reach his audience, I also believe in taking theatre to the people if they won't come to the theatre. But I'm hoping that everyone will come along to City Hall to see our play!'' `Drums of Passion' will be performed at the City Hall Theatre on June 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. nightly. The City Hall Box Office is now open (292-2313) daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, children under 12 years $10, and group tickets (5 or more) are $18. Anyone interested in becoming a patron ($25) is asked to telephone Kensley McDowall at 295-4359.

DRUMS OF PASSION -- Kensley MacDowall's play about Bermuda's Gombeys opens at City Hall on June 1. Pictured are cast members (left to right) Danny Richardson, John White and Carlton Burchall.