Encouraged by the enormous success of Bermuda's first "Kidfest'' earlier this year, producer Paula Maguire is all set to present an extended, five-month season later this month.

It kicks off with Masque's one-man production of "Animan,'' in which ingenious use of 20 or so character masks in a colourful and fun-filled play, pleads the cause of respect for man's fellow animals. The man literally behind the mask is Larry Hunt, who has perfected the craft of mask-making to match his talents as an actor -- a profession he has been pursuing since he was eight years old. Full of comedy and magic -- as well as drama -- Masque has been the subject of a major feature in the New York Sunday Times.

"Animan'' has been seen by young audiences from Massachusetts to Oregon and has toured Australia and appeared at the Hong Kong International Children's Festival.

Emphasising that she is not interested in making any profit out of the shows, Mrs. Maguire says her entire concern is entertaining the young people of Bermuda with top-rate theatre that is also educational.

Paying tribute to the support she has received, she says,"If it weren't for Ruth Thomas (Culture and Community Affairs), probably none of this would ever have happened. I was thrilled by the incredible response and support for Kidfest 94. Now the Department of Tourism is putting Kidfest 94/95 in their Calendar of Events and they have sent off programmes for the new show to their offices overseas.'' The first show opens at Kidfest's new, and larger, home in the Gombey Room at the Palm Reef Hotel on Harbour Road, on October 22.

Future shows include The Children's Trio, which specialises in musical adaptations of classic fairy tales.

For Bermuda, they will be presenting "The Princess and the Handmaiden,'' based on the Grimms' story of "The Goose Girl,'' a double header featuring family musician Eric Nagler. He has appeared on Sesame Street, The Elephant Show and now has his own TV series, "Eric's World.'' Also featured will be ventriloquist John Pattison, whose weird and wonderful collection of friends who sleep in a suitcase have worked with the Muppets and on the Emmy award-winning "Fraggle Rock''; the welcome return of the Maritime Marionettes who will perform "Molly and the Oak Island Treasure'' which was commissioned by the Nova Scotia government; founder of the National Tap Company of Canada, William Orlowski and Company, who has been featured as performer and choreographer of many leading TV shows; and finally, Sharon, Lois and Bram from the Nickleodeon's "Elephant Show.'' This trio has performed to standing-room only family audiences across the US and Canada and their children's music albums have topped the 2.7 million mark.

Kidfest was founded by Mrs. Paula Maguire who firmly believes that all children deserve to see the very best in theatrical entertainment. As a former professional dancer, Mrs. Maguire was able to assemble an unusually impressive array of talent for the first festival. Her own experience as a member of the highly acclaimed "Elephant Show,'' which can still be seen on cable TV's Nickelodeon channel, gave her a unique insight into this often neglected branch of specialised theatre. This year, she assures, is even better.

With her theatre career behind her (at least for the moment) now that she is a wife and mother of two, Mrs. Maguire is the first to admit that she is also motivated by her determination that her own children should have the opportunities here that they would enjoy if they lived elsewhere. "Theatre is -- or should be -- part of a child's education and emotional growth. I want to bring only the very, very best in talent to Bermuda.'' Each show, she promises, is equally as good as the other: "Just because they may not have made it TV yet, doesn't mean they aren't good. I have personally seen all of the shows I have booked and they are all `stars in the making'.

They are all genuine, highly trained artists who are totally committed to, and love their work!'' Mrs. Maguire emphasises that all the shows which, this year, have been geared to an expanded age group, are family shows. "This is not an event where you just drop the kids off! I think the parents will enjoy it just as much.'' An innovation this year is the showcasing of local talent. Mrs. Maguire explains that she has been putting the word out within the primary schools network that there is a platform, within Kidfest, for children's talents, whether it is a five or 10-minute stint of music, poetry or dance to be used as a warm-up before each show.

All of the shows will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, with two performances each day at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Masque production of "Animan'' takes place of October 22 and 23. Tickets at $16 (adults) and $12 are on sale at Pirate's Port, and at the Phoenix Centre Toy Department on Fridays only between 12 and 6 p.m. may be reserved by telephoning 236-1085.

The Palm Reef Hotel will be hosting special Kidfest buffet luncheons between 12 and 3 p.m. each day of the Festival. Special events (such as birthday parties) can be arranged through the Hotel (telephone 236-1000).

KIDFEST IS BACK -- A new season of children's theatre opens next weekend with Canadian Larry Hunt's Masque company of puppets.