LIVIN' FAT -- Jabulani Repertory Company -- Pembroke Princess Hotel -- November 12 and 13.

If last weekend's play, presented to a tourist-packed Gazebo Lounge, is anything to go by, the concept of "cocktail'' theatre is a huge hit and hopefully, here to stay.

The latest group -- and by far, the most professional -- to cash in on what is a firmly established form of entertainment overseas, is the Jabulani Repertory Company. Between now and the end of March, a series of plays are being rotated on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Hamilton Princess. While this will undoubtedly be a big drawing card for off-season tourists, residents are also flocking to see highly entertaining theatre in an informal setting.

Livin' Fat, by American playwright Judi Mason, is a comedy which centres around a poor black family. An unexpected financial windfall provides the thrust of non-stop humour as the family wrestles with the unfamiliar emotions of good, rather than bad luck. To reveal more of the plot would spoil it for future audiences; suffice to say that the comedy takes on a decidedly farcical twist as the family members put their own, strictly personal interpretations on questions of conscience.

Comedy is the hardest form of acting, but in this marvelously written play, full of hilarious one-liners, Patricia Pogson scores another triumph of stage direction. The action is never allowed to flag and, in what has become her trademark, she ensures that total interaction between the characters keeps the sense of momentum flowing -- in this case -- right to the final curtain call.

She has assembled an outstanding cast.

Denice Whitter takes on the role of Mary, the big mama who identifies more easily with her grandchildren than her daughter and son-in-law, whose God-fearin' views on life she treats with amused indifference ("You know your mother ain't hip,'' she tells the youngsters). With a healthy interest in everyone and everything going on around her, Mary's bulky form dominates the action and Denice Whitter plays it to the hilt.

Danjou Anderson, the son whose rash action sets off the family crisis of conscience, brings all his customary expertise to this pivotal role; he understands implicitly how to time his lines to maximum effect.

Candy, his sister, is played by Diletta Gillespie with a bright fluency which perfectly captures the priorities of teens and their single-mindedness in pursuing them.

As the parents, Tona Douglas and Ed Christopher prove to be admirable foils for each other, representing, as it were, the voice of conscience fuelled by their belief in family and religious principles. But the deep rut of poverty causes even them to re-think the question of ethics and this leads to the cliffhanger element of suspense that is deftly inserted to give this play a powerfully comic ending.

Newcomer Nayte Paxton almost steals the show with a dream of a role, as Boo, the boy next door who swaggers through the play in a haze of sartorial elegance as a sudden improvement in financial status lets him give exuberantly full rein to the finer things in life.

Dusty Hind is the producer, and if he and Patricia Pogson maintain this standard with future productions, they will be filling a much-needed void in Bermuda's entertainment scene.

Scheduled for this weekend is a new comedy, Horowitz and Mrs. Washington, described as being reminiscent of Driving Miss Daisy. A.R. Gurney's bitter-sweet Love Letters, starring Connie Dey and Peter Woolcock will be presented the following two weekends and there will be another chance to see Livin' Fat on December 10 and 11.

PATRICIA CALNAN SHOWTIME! -- Patricia Pogson, left, and Dusty Hind are behind the successful series of plays which the Jabulani Repertory Company are performing at the Hamilton Princess Hotel this season.