Lillian Hellman's "The Little Foxes'', which opens next week at Daylesford.

Director Warren Cabral says he aims to present a faithful rendition of "a very good piece of drama'', rather than attempting to introduce any new concepts into a play which has become something of an American classic: "My only slight twist is on the gloss of the play. I want to convey a visual time warp, using lighting that gives a period effect, the sepia colours of early colourised film. But most of all, I'm aiming for a very polished performance.'' Set in the deep south at the turn of the century, the play has provided a starring vehicle for such theatre luminaries as Tallulah Bankhead, who created the role of Regina Giddens, and Elizabeth Taylor, who appeared in recent London and New York productions.

Following in these illustrious footsteps on the Daylesford stage will be Scottish-born Evelyn MacGregor, who is not at all phased at the thought of adopting a `southern' accent for the role of Regina: "I played Amanda in The Glass Menagerie and that has a southern accent and then there was another American accent to tackle when I played Agnes in Edward Albee's `A Delicate Balance','' she says.

Ms. MacGregor, who has been in Bermuda for 18 years, has played leading roles in several other BMDS productions, including "Whose Life Is It Anyway?'', "Move Over Mrs. Markham'', and in the two-character Tennessee Williams play, "Something Unspoken'', which she performed with Cynthia Thomas.

"The character of Regina is very challenging because she goes through the whole spectrum of emotions, from being a delightful hostess, through to towering fury and finally, that incredibly cold indifference to the fates of those closest to her. Yet in spite of all the emotion, she is so self-controlled -- every word she utters has a motive behind it. It's a marvellous, powerful play.'' She is happy to be working under the direction of Mr. Warren Cabral: "He's a very caring, organised director who encouraged us all to study the text of the play together, to make sure that every member of the cast agreed on what Lillian Hellman was trying to say! Not every director does that, but I think we all benefited and it seems to have made the dialogue flow better,'' she said.

Evelyn MacGregor said that although she did some drama in her native Scotland, she found the standards very high at BMDS and there was a great deal to learn: "It's a lovely compliment that some of the directors have given me these chances and now have faith in me to tackle a role like Regina.'' Ingrid Welch, who made her first appearance at Daylesford in last month's production of "Forever Yours'', will be taking on the part of Regina's daughter, Alexandra, the only member of the family untainted by the intrigues unfolding around her.

Although only nineteen years old, Miss Welch is no stranger to the theatre world. During her years at Framlingham College in England, she appeared in productions of "Cabaret'' and "Oh, What a Lovely War'', and was given leading roles in "Grease'' and "Annie''. There were also frequent visits to see the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-on-Avon and the National Theatre in London. She obtained her `A' Level pass in theatre studies, a two-year intensive course that embraces theory, practical stage work and all aspects of production.

Now she is planning to return to Britain to further her drama studies -- with the eventual dream of working in professional theatre.

Other members of the cast include Jocelyn Troake, Jim Stroeder, Steven Dudden, Steven Hankey, John DeOliveira, Gloria Daniels, Dudley Thomas and Gene Stuckey.

The play will be produced by Louise Foister with Janice Stroeder as stage manager.

Emma Riddell is in charge of the period costumes which have been hired from abroad. Lighting design is by Peter Belton. Steve Conger has designed the sets, with Kevin Blee, and Niall and Sally Woolf responsible for their construction and painting.

"The Little Foxes'' runs at Daylesford from Monday, March 30 through Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets at $12 may be obtained from Daylesford Box Office: Weekdays 5.30-7 p.m., Saturday, March 28, from 12.30-2 p.m. and during the run of the show, from 7-8 p.m.

THE LITTLE FOXES -- Members of the BMDS rehearsing a scene from The Little Foxes, which opens at Daylesford next Monday. Left to right:- Jim Stroeder, Evelyn MacGregor Stephen Dudden and Jocelyn Troake.

SERVING THE FOXES -- Gloria Daniels and Dudley Thomas take on the roles of Addie and Cal, servants to the ambitious Southern family in next week's production of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes.