The pivotal player in the 1959 theatre boycott in Bermuda will be speaking tonight at St. Paul's AME Church Centennial Hall.

"Basically it's us giving something back to him for his struggle for Bermuda," said Carvel Van Putten who is organising the forum with Carlton Askia.

Mr. Askia, a lifelong friend of Mr. Tweed, was primarily responsible for his return to the Island.

"Capturing the audience with the same thunderous and electrifying oratory that endeared audiences to his story told in the film When Voices Rise... Mr. Tweed has been receiving requests to speak at length on his experiences," a press release said.

Mr. Tweed briefly spoke at the July 22 Progressive Labour Party rally and he had only just returned home after 40 years of self-imposed exile to rejoin his Bermudian family and the PLP before the election.

Mr. Putten said Mr. Tweed will be giving a speech to be followed by a question-and-answer session. "I know it will be lengthy because he will be speaking on his exile, and his thoughts for the future of Bermuda."

Currently an AME minister where he resides in London, Mr. Tweed had not met much of his Bermudian family after he fled the Island in 1961 - a time when he says he had received threats on his life.

He will speak tonight at Centennial Hall on the corner of Court and Victoria Street at 7 p.m. Admission for adults is $15 and children under 12 will get in free. For further information about Mr. Tweed call 297-2640.