year. And to mark the special event, several activities have been organised, according to BMDS president Mr. Adrian Lee-Emery. The celebrations kicked off when BMDS imported the legendary jazz duo, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth to appear in two concerts at the Marriott's Castle Harbour Hotel on March 11 and 12. Said chairman of the BMDS 50th anniversary committee Mr. John Ellison: "We brought in Cleo Laine and John Dankworth as a gesture of something the society used to do a great deal of -- that is to bring in professionals from overseas.'' He added that BMDS was the first and only organisation to bring in overseas performers, but today famed entertainers are largely imported for performances by the Bermuda Festival, with BMDS relying mainly on local talent. Cleo Laine and John Dankworth were already popular visitors to Bermuda, having appeared in an early Bermuda Festival, noted Mr. Ellison, who is a former Festival chairman. Laine, who is the only singer ever to receive Grammy nominations in three categories including Female Jazz, Popular and Classical, is described by the British Times newspaper as "the best singer in the world''. Besides her popularity with jazz audiences, she is also recognised as one of Britain's leading actresses and the star of various musicals. Dankworth, who is long considered one of Britain's best jazz musicians, has found comparable fame in the musical theatre and classical music world. The concerts, which enjoyed standing ovations and rave reviews, were a spectacular prelude to BMDS's golden anniversary celebrations. Also included in the anniversary festivities is a special Old Time Music Hall production, which started on Thursday, June 1 and runs until tomorrow, Friday, June 9. The show, which features singers, dancers and comedians, also marks the 20th anniversary of the club's Daylesford Theatre on Dundonald and Washington Streets, according to Mr. Ellison. "An Old Time Music Hall was the first production staged at the Daylesford when it opened 20 years ago,'' he said, adding that a Music Hall therefore seemed an appropriate choice for the club's anniversary production. A Music Hall, which was one of the most popular forms of mass entertainment prior to the introduction of cinema and once a fairly regular feature at the Daylesford, has not been staged at the theatre for at least six years. The performance is being guest chaired by Mr. Duggie Chapman from the UK, who will also be directing this year's Christmas pantomime for BMDS, said Mr. Lee-Emery, noting that the society thought his involvement in the Music Hall presented a great opportunity for him to meet local talent and talk about the Christmas show in advance. The play, which is being directed by Mr. Richard Fell and choreographed by Mrs. Sal Hodgson, involves 22 cast members performing under the baton of musical director Mrs.

Gaynor Gallant. Musical accompaniment is also being provided using two electric keyboards and percussion. In addition to these two special performances, there will be an anniversary exhibition running from June 10 to June 16 at the Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery. Showcasing memorabilia including old programmes and posters, newspaper clippings, photographs and various props made specifically for BMDS productions, the exhibition will visually trace the history of the Society's performing arts. The photographs will be displayed on four large boards according to their categories, which include Christmas shows, back stage, set designs and nostalgic pictures, said BMDS archivist Mrs. Jean Hannant. She noted: "We have an enormous audience here and thought it would be interesting for people to see what we've done over the years.'' She added that the historical exhibit will be of particular interest to those who have been involved or who have been a large part of the BMDS audience. Other celebratory events include a cocktail reception for BMDS members and patrons to be held on the opening day of the exhibition. Governor Lord Waddington, a BMDS patron, will propose a birthday toast to mark the occasion, said Mr. Lee-Emery. As well, members and patrons have been invited to attend a dinner at the Number One Shed following the reception, in which Mr. Lee-Emery will speak and The Somers Isle Jazz Band will perform. Also to commemorate the jubilee event, the BMDS logo is this month being stamped on all local mail passing though the Bermuda Post Office, said Mr. Lee-Emery, adding that the logo stamp is intended to make the public aware of the Society's 50th anniversary.