family entertainment shrouded in theatrical traditions that go back hundreds of years.

The annual BMDS production has long been a traditional fixture of Bermuda's festive season and this year's pantomime, Sinbad the Sailor, opens at City Hall on Thursday, December 10.

Loosely based on a traditional fairy-tale, pantomimes as we know and enjoy them became popular in Victorian England and even today, no star performer would willingly pass up the opportunity to take top billing in the hundreds of productions that are mounted in theatres up and down the length of Britain over the Christmas period.

The story line, however, is little more than an excuse for a mixture of slapstick comedy, pop songs and dance routines that are performed against sumptuous sets. In England, to thoroughly confuse the foreigner who is not used to such goings-on, the role of Principal Boy is taken by a girl and the role of the "Dame'' is played by a man.

Bermuda, however, in its own definition of theatrical eccentricity, goes along with a male as the Dame, but draws the line at having a girl playing the role of the hero.

Edmund Robinson, who takes on the role of Sinbad, says although he has only been acting for two years, he already "has the bug''.

The 17-year-old Bermuda College student was an easy winner in the search for the pantomime's hero.

Mr. Warren Cabral, author and director of this year's BMDS production says the young man is "an absolute natural'' who had already caught his eye when he appeared in the chorus of last year's Jack and the Beanstalk.

Perhaps it is one of the blessings of youth that allows Mr. Robinson, on being asked if he suffers from stage-fright, to break into a broad grin and declare, "No, not at all. The thought of an audience doesn't scare me -- that's what I'm there for. I love acting and I'm confident I shall get it right.'' Even so, he admits he has not quite managed to resist the impulse to laugh at some of the lines: "There is one scene with the `Bermudian axperts' where they are supposed to be insulting me, but it's such a funny line, I've never managed to do it yet without laughing!'' In an effort to capture the character of Sinbad, the young Thespian has now started wearing a turban at rehearsals, which at the moment, take up three nights a week and will increase as opening night at City Hall looms.

"I'm finding now that the character is beginning to take on a life of its own, and I suddenly find myself using expressions from the pantomime.'' Mr. Robinson, who took the leading roles in Berkeley Institute productions of The Boy Friend and Our Town and also appeared in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for the BMDS as Daylesford, says that Sinbad the Sailor is by far his biggest challenge yet.

"I've been waiting for this moment for quite some time. I was very happy to get the leading parts at Berkeley -- but to get the lead in a BMDS play at City Hall puts a smile on my face, just thinking about it!'' He is full of praise for the pantomime's author and director.

"He really has done an excellent job in writing this. It's very funny and there are a couple of sub-plots going on, as well as the main story to keep the action going.'' Then role of the Dame (Sinbad's mother) has, he feels, been superbly written and is now being acted to the hilt by Mark Pettingill who, he says, steps into the role with gusto.

"An incredible voice and he really gets into character. Obviously, no one in the world has a mother like this but he plays it for all he's worth and it's quite brilliant.'' Mr. Robinson says that Mr. Cabral is an exacting "but flexible'' director who is keeping the large cast on its toes, exhorting them night after night to give his script "`plenty of verve and plenty of elan' -- that's his favourite phrase! The rehearsals are very lively.'' In spite of his new-found love of life onstage, Mr. Robinson plans a career either in engineering or medicine. But, he says, once he gets to university, he will be first in line to join the drama club. And now that he has joined BMDS, he hopes to widen his knowledge by working backstage on future productions.

Author and director Warren Cabral is well known to Bermuda audiences, both in front and behind the footlights. After studying modern languages at McGill University, he went, as a Rhodes Scholar, to study law at Oxford. During his time there, he was Treasurer of the Oxford University Dramatic Society and later founded his own theatre company.

Since returning to Bermuda, where he joined the firm of Appleby, Spurling & Kempe, Mr. Cabral has been an active member of BMDS. His most recent appearance at Daylesford was that of Guildenstern in Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead.

He also directed Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes and two of his original plays, A Family Affair and Forever Yours were successfully staged at Daylesford earlier this year.

Leading members of the cast include Tricia Morgan as Princess Khalida, Paul Lowry as the Sultan, Adrian Marsden as the evil Grand Vizier, with Mark Evans and Lyn Tavares taking on the role of the Camel.

Three "foreign axperts'' brought in by the Eevil Grand Vizier to sort out the affairs of his kingdom, will be played by Andrea Casling, Ed Christopher and Keith Madeiros.

Musical director is John Woolridge, choreography is by Jeanne Legere. Sets and lighting, which promise to be spectacular, are by Peter Woodhouse and Elizabeth Wingate has designed the costumes.

Sinbad the Sailor, which will run at City Hall from December 10-19, with Saturday matinees on December 12 and 19, is produced by Kate Weber.

Tickets (which are selling out fast) are $15 and $12.50 for matinee performances and can be purchased from the Box Office at Daylesford from Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. and on Saturdays, from noon to 3 p.m.

SMILING SINBAD: Edmund Robinson has a hard time keeping a straiht face in the title role.

GOT YA' -- Mr. adrian Marsden, who plays he evil Grand Vizier, frightens Ms Tricia Morgan, playing the Princess, during a rehearsal of Sinbad the Sailor.