Italy? In a word, Shakespeare.

In a scintillating comedy that brought praise from New York critics, author Don Evans has transferred the classic, 16th century battle of the sexes comedy of "The Taming of the Shrew'' to modern-day, urban America.

Now, Bermudians will be able to laugh their way through "It's Showdown Time'' when Patricia Pogson directs Black Box Productions' latest play at City Hall this week.

This latest venture underlines the enormous artistic energy that characterises Patricia Pogson's approach to theatre. She is, of course, the director of all four plays in Jabulani Repertory Company's immensely successful season of cocktail theatre, currently running at The Princess Hotel in Pembroke.

"At a time when moral standards are really being tested, I felt that a play that moves people to think about their relationships, and their actions within those relationships, would be timely. It's a very funny piece, but it does have a message -- two messages, actually,'' she laughingly corrects herself, "on how a man should treat a woman and how a woman should treat a man!'' Maintaining the basic theme of Shakespeare's play where a good, if simple man determines to tame, and marry, the sharpest-tongued woman in town, Evans has transformed the hero into a Mr. Adam Poindexter, who comes from South Carolina to open up a barber shop. The unlikely object of his affections is Rosa Richardson, "a quick-tempered, foot-stomping, nigger-hating black woman''.

While Adam has little problem in sorting out the street gangs, Rosa is more of a challenge and the cut and thrust of the play centres on his hilarious efforts to win her over.

"No one likes Rosa -- not even her own father!'' exclaims Ms Pogson. "When she first sees Adam, she is startled by the way he's dressed -- a totally Afro-centric persona. The first person he latches on to happens to be the local `wino', who warns him that Rosa is the most hated woman in the neighbourhood. He actually calls her `an evil bitch'. Adam becomes intrigued by her brawling and fighting, and falls in love with her at first sight.'' Echoing the sub-plot of Shakespeare's play, Rosa's sister, Velma, is the exact opposite, loving all men to the extent that she cannot choose just one.

Eventually, she meets Clarence, a trainee preacher who provides another moral tale by teaching her that she should save her favours for the man she eventually marries.

An exasperated father and a nosy neighbour add to the general confusion and merriment of this play which scored a hit when it was produced at the New Federal Theatre in New York in 1976. The director of that production, says Ms Pogson, was Shaunelle Perry, who has previously visited Bermuda as director of several US visiting drama productions.

"I had originally intended to stage `Othello','' reveals Ms Pogson, "but when I found out that the Royal Shakespeare Company was bringing a production of `Macbeth' here for the Bermuda Festival, I decided to do a play that was lighter and a bit more fun. I also wanted to encourage new actors to come and join us and to try and find more talent for Jabulani Repertory Company when it opens its new season at the Princess next November.'' Taking on the role of the hero, Adam Poindexter, is Nayte Paxton, currently beguiling sold-out audiences in Jabulani's "One Mo' Time''. Last year, he also scored a hit in their production of "Livin' Fat'', when he played the preposterously comical "Boo''. Mr. Paxton, who works as a personnel manager at the US Naval Air Station, has also worked extensively in children's theatre.

Rosa is played by Tona Douglas, whom audiences will also remember for her portrayal of Candy in last year's uproarious production of "Livin' Fat'' for Jabulani.

Eighteen-year-old Khalilah Smith, who first displayed her considerable talent in Patricia Pogson's "Ain't Misbehavin'' and "Coloured Girls'', plays Velma.

This, in addition to the two gruelling roles she is presently performing for Jabulani -- "One Mo' Time'' and "Nunsense''.

Delaey Robinson, who plays Rosa's father, has a long list of thespian credits, not least of which was his appearance as Jake in "The Young and the Restless'' (during the Bermuda segment). A long-time colleague of Ms Pogson, he worked with her in several productions for the Cedar Roots Ensemble, with director Barbara Hooper in August Wilson's "Fences'', in "The Wizard of Oz'' and "Fire Raisers'' for BMDS. Last year, he also appeared in Jabulani's "Horowitz and Mrs. Washington.'' Danjou Anderson (bar-tender) who trained as an actor in New York, is one of Bermuda's best known actors who has appeared in countless productions over the years. With major roles in "Fire Raisers'', the Tin Man in "The Wiz'', and "The Coloured Museum'' and "Livin' Fat'', his most demanding role recently was the lead in Patricia Pogson's "Six Degrees of Separation'' at City Hall.

Ginea Edwards, who teaches art and drama at the Montessori Academy, and who is currently scoring a personal hit in "One Mo' Time'' at the Princess, takes on the role of Effie, the nosy neighbour, while Collin Godwin (Clarence the preacher) will be making his first stage appearance since his days with the Youth Theatrical Group in "We Are People Too''. The cast is completed by Jerome Cooke as the wino and Leighsa Darrell as Rosa's mother.

"There are going to be a few surprise touches in this production,'' promises Ms Pogson, although she will give no hint as to what these might be. "I'm very grateful that the cast and crew are giving up so much of their time to fit the rehearsals into what are very tight schedules for some of them,'' she adds. The standard of acting in this production, says Ms Pogson, underlines her belief that Bermuda has some very talented performers "coming from all sections of the community''.

The technical crew includes Bruce Hallett as lighting director and Rotimi Martins is the technical director.

To ensure that extra polish, Patricia Pogson, who is producing as well as directing the show, has moved the entire production from Black Box's usual rehearsal studios on Court Street to City Hall eight days earlier than usual.

In spite of the "high rent'' of the theatre, Ms Pogson believes (and hopes) this will pay its own dividends in terms of artistic success.

Part proceeds of the show will go to Ms Pogson's Northlands School Drama Group, currently raising funds for its spring trip to Broadway.

"We are hoping to see `Phantom of the Opera', `Nunsense II' and `Kiss of the Spiderwoman'. I want to make theatre really come alive for these young people in a professional sense. And,'' she adds firmly, "I'm also tired of everyone going to New York just to shop when there's so much more to do!'' "It's Showdown Time'' opens on Thursday, March 9 and continues through Saturday, March 11 at City Hall Theatre, at 8 p.m. nightly. Patrons' tickets for opening night are $35, regular price $25, and are available from the City Hall Box Office.

THE TAMING OF ROSA -- The cast of Black Box Productions rehearsing a scene from "It's Showdown Time'', based on "The Taming of the Shrew.''