When Christine Barritt's pantomime opens at City Hall next week, it will mark the second year in a row that a Bermudian has written the script.

Chairman of the BMDS production committee, Mr. Warren Cabral, who wrote and directed last year's smash-hit, "Sinbad The Sailor'', is confident that this year's show, The Magic Key, is poised for similar success.

"I'm very impressed with Christine's script -- it's creative and very witty.

I think everyone is going to enjoy it. It's a fairy tale, with pantomimic elements.'' Former reporter for The Royal Gazette reporter Ms Barritt has come up with a refreshingly new concept, turning to Imperial Russia and its wealth of fairytales and folklore to give this year's show a decidedly different twist.

While the plot follows the well-worn adage of good overcoming evil, with lots of laughs and scares on the way, this is definitely a pantomime for the '90s.

Christine Barritt has rejected outright the rather wimpy role traditionally reserved for the heroine who eventually wins her Prince Charming (played by a girl dressed as a boy) to settle down happily ever after. Her heroine, Natasha, is adventurous, independent, and the very last thing on her mind is romance and a wedding veil. There is a message for today's audiences, too, in that the "baddies'' don't get killed, they get rehabilitated and turn out to be nice guys after all.

There will not be the traditional political jokes which, admittedly, are popular with adults in this production. In Ms Barritt's book, a pantomime is for children and she has kept kids' humour firmly in mind for the comic elements in her fairy story.

The pantomime, presented annually by the BMDS at City Hall has become a fixed part of Bermuda's Christmas season. It seems fair to say that, despite its English origins, this unique and -- perhaps to American eyes -- bizarre form of entertainment that depends on crossover dressing for much of its humour, has long since absorbed some Bermudian traditions of its own. There are usually, for instance, a few comic characters with strong Bermudian accents cracking wry jokes about local big-wigs. In this year's production, however, only Ed Christopher, who plays Boris the Russian bear, is allowed to talk "Bermewjan''.

According to Mr. Cabral, the language is "hip'' and the songs, ranging from jive to soca, and including such hits as Hot, Hot, Hot, Against All Odds and More, should have special appeal for younger audiences.

Taking on the role of Natasha, who together with Boris the bear saves Russia from the evil sorcerers who have brought the country to ruin, will be Suzuki Method piano teacher, Elisabeth Garner.

"There are several leads,'' she insists, "and I think we have a very good cast. We have a wonderful director and every single rehearsal has been fun.

This is not invariably the case,'' she adds. "The script really sparkles and I must say, that from my point of view, working with Ed (Christopher) makes it much easier because he's so funny.'' Noting that he was the evil Giant while she played the title role in Jack and the Beanstalk, she comments: "It's good to be on the same side as him, this time around!'' The pantomime, with 100 to 150 people involved in the overall production is by far the biggest production mounted by BMDS each year. Mr. Cabral points out that all members give their time voluntarily.

"A show of this magnitude is, in essence, a professional production. But even if we paid all these people $50 per hour (which is less than the going rate on Broadway), it would cost about $500,000. As it is, we have a budget of around $60,000, most of which is spent on the sets and costumes. We also have to pay the musicians who, as members of the Musicians' Union, are the only local people who receive remuneration.'' Usually, says Mr. Cabral, a local director is preferred, but points out that it is not always easy to find someone with the necessary experience and vast amount of time required to stage a major production.

"We are very fortunate to have the services of Jane McCulloch, one of Britain's theatrical luminaries, to direct the show. Considering that she has such a busy career in London, we are very flattered that she would down tools, as it were, to do something for us out in the middle of the Atlantic.'' As co-founder of the English Chamber Theatre, Jane McCulloch wrote and directed "Their Finest Hour'', a memorable production staged at the Festival two years ago.

Also appearing in "The Magic Key'' is Connie Dey, a well-loved figure on the pantomime scene, who this year is sure to cause some squeals from the youngsters in the audience when she sweeps onstage as the evil sorceress, Morgana. Her sidekick, Morfin, will be Edmund Robinson, the young actor who made such a successful debut as Sinbad in last year's show. Paul Lowry will play the Father and Judith Rubin will appear in the pivotal role of the Old Woman.

"Keith Madeiros,'' promises Warren Cabral, "is going to be a spectacular Cazarina (the traditional "Dame'' of the pantomime). He vamps it up one thousand percent and should be a wonderful foil to evil Connie! I also hear that he has some really astounding costumes.'' The Magic Key will be presented at City Hall from December 9 to 18 at 7.30 p.m. nightly, with matinees on Saturdays, December 11 and 18. Tickets at $15 ($12.50 for matinees) are available now from the Daylesford Box Office and from December 9 onwards, at the City Hall.

PANTO TIME IS HERE -- It's that time of year again, when the annual BMDS pantomime comes to town. Taking a break from rehearsals is Elisabeth Garner, who takes on the leading role of Natasha in Christine Barritt's "The Magic Key''.