Gina Spence is commemorating her 20 years in show biz with an original musical, "A Figure of Speech''.

The show was written, produced and directed by Ms Spence herself, and touches on many prevalent issues facing society today.

"The musical is a collection of old time Bermudian sayings, and I basically used those as my themes to tell the story,'' said Ms Spence.

"The story is different vignettes of drama, for example there is a scene called `Only the Good Die Young' which is an old time saying, but it deals with the pack racing scene that some of our young people go through. There are three main characters, a survivor from a pack race, one of those bad boys, and a Christian boy who enters into the race just for fun. In the end one of them gets killed, but I won't say who,'' she added.

"There is another scene where we do a talk show, very similar to David Lopes, and we have people calling in talking about various different issues. The audience will love that scene, it will be very funny and I'm sure the audience will identify with the callers. I have been listening in, using those same characters as my characters for the show,'' Ms. Spence adds with a smile.

"Another scene entitled `Knowledge is Power' deals with the issue of how teachers were respected and treated years ago, like role models, for giving kids that start in terms of education, as opposed to nowadays, they are not treated and respected in the same way. We tried to give the view from some of the young people of today, some of the teachers and some of the parents who have to deal with it on both sides,'' she said.

The cast boasts more than 60 members, ranging from very young children to veteran performers and producers.

One scene entitled "Gangster's Paradise'' features music from the movie "Dangerous Minds'' but with Bermudian flavour lyrics, changed to fit the show.

There will be a variety of music ranging from gospel, to rap to ballads and even reggae. The musical will also feature the group "Diamonds in the Ruff'' which Ms Spence describes as a Bermudian group similar to Boyz 2 Men and the choir from "Love Alive Ministries'' under the direction of Leroy Simmons.

"The lead character Mr. Hansey (Mr. Donald Gates aka "Big Daddy Gates'') talks to the audience about the state of Bermuda, what our young people are going through, the violence the pack racing and the drugs, and he challenges them as to what they are doing with their kids. The scene comes to life as he is talking about it,'' said Ms Spence.

Ms. Spence started her career 20 years ago, performing at Prospect Primary as a young girl. When she went to Warwick Secondary, she formed a dance group entitled "Creative Source'' or sometimes known as the "Funky Six'' which performed at the Carifta Games at the National Stadium and the opening ceremonies for Gina Swainson in the Miss World pageant.

She then formed a production company "Jazzy Productions'' with Lorita Tucker Simmons, and for the department of Youth and Sport she produced the Road Show, "No, Not Me'' which "really put me on the map,'' said Ms Spence.

Shortly afterward, Ms Spence formed a production company ASDE, with three other people, which produced four shows at City Hall, and after that had dissolved, she opened her own production company "Gina Spence Productions'' which has been in existence for the past six years.

During the past six years, Ms Spence has had two of her members perform at the Apollo Theatre in New York, one of her cast members landed a part on the day time soap opera "As the World Turns'', and she has produced numerous shows, a Tourism Awareness Contest, and she produced two telethons for charity.

On top of everything, Ms Spence has worked at the Bermuda Post Office for thirteen years and is the mother of three girls.

"I've had so much support from my family, they have been wonderful. I wish I could wake up every morning and do productions.

Her commemorative musical "A Figure of Speech'', will be starting on July 25 under the patronage of Mr. and Mrs. Choy Aming.

Tickets are priced at $25 for adults and $15 for children under 12 and are available from The Music Box, Ricky's Barber Shop, Spence's Hair Design and the City Hall Box Office.

The show starts at 8:00 on July 26 and 27, except on Thursday, the Patron and sponsors night the slide show and presentation will start at 6:30.

Gina Spence