The 'Island Sistahs'(and Lem) are back! Last seen in Patrice Frith-Hayward's 2001 eponymous play, the author is bringing them back in "a kind of sequel" when they gather to bury their father.

"The setting is a couple of years later, and the characters have grown and gone in different directions in their lives," the author says. "It is about a group of sistahs who look out for each other."

A cast of ten will present the new play, 'Daddy's Dead in More Ways than One', at City Hall Theatre from November 5 to 8, with an 8 p.m. sharp curtain time.

As so often happens following the death of a loved one, family secrets and their effects upon the survivors, including unresolved feelings and closet skeletons, emerge at the wake which follows the funeral. As is characteristic of this author's work, social issues will again be addressed in the plot, among them the effects of absentee fathers on their children and mentally abusive relationships.

Despite the fact that these are serious subjects, the play is also laced with plenty of comedy, and its author notes that once again Bermuda's popular comedian, Bootsie (as Lem), is in the cast — as he has been in all of her preceding works.

While the script contains no profanity, due to its mature theme, children under 14 will not be admitted. If they show up, they will be turned away at the door and will not receive a refund on their ticket.

Mrs. Frith-Hayward, who works full time, has been writing plays in her spare time for 18 years. Her first was performed in 1990, and as with its five successors, she writes everything in longhand on a legal pad first, before typing up the final version. If the process seems archaic in today's computer-oriented world, she is unrepentant.

"It's ridiculous I know, but I love a notepad and pen. I love writing in longhand. I even wrote my book in longhand," she says. "I tried writing this play in the computer but it just didn't feel right."

'Daddy's Dead in More Ways than One' is the first time Mrs. Frith-Hayward has written a sequel, so "developing the characters has been a lot of fun", and she admits that sometimes they take control of the script. Generally, she knows what the middle of her plays will be, and then writes around that.

Totally self-taught, and holding a full-time job, she writes whenever and wherever the mood takes her — including sitting in her bed at night, on the beach, or during a plane journey. Some works take many years to complete, while others are done fairly quickly.

Looking back over her progress as an author over the past 18 years — she also wrote a book, in longhand, which was published in 1999 — Mrs. Frith-Hayward is proud of the continuous improvement in her writing, and how much she has grown in that regard. Her enthusiasm for writing stems from her life-long enjoyment of reading, and the inner belief that she, too, could become an author.

Apart from writing 'Daddy's Dead in More Ways than One,' Mrs. Frith-Hayward is also its producer and assistant director, and quips: "The fact that the cast is not giving me headaches makes it that much easier (to wear three hats)."

She describes Royce-Ann Dill, who is directing the play, as she has done for two previous productions, as "very talented, has great ideas, gives constructive criticism, and has all the patience in the world".

Mrs. Dill's daughter, Shalane Dill, is the stage manager. Newly graduated with a degree in theatre, the drama teacher at Berkeley Institute brings a lot of new ideas, knowledge and energy to the production.

Chris Spencer, the technical director for the fourth time in a Frith-Hayward play, is also noted for his energy and knowledge.

Jewell Eve is the properties mistress and cast manager.

"We call ourselves 'The Big Five', and we have a wonderful relationship," the producer says.

Kay Dutton keeps Mrs. Frith-Hayward on track as well as fulfilling her own responsibilities as co-producer.

"I couldn't do it without her, or any of the others," the busy producer and assistant director says. "I would never be successful without their help, and of course that of the cast. It is a lot of work, which I love and enjoy, but so worth it, and so rewarding in the end."

The full cast is: Danita Thomas, Roddy Nesbitt, Jr., Ryan Bean, Bootsie, Kathyann Paynter, Tina Duke, Nicole Smith.

"The talent that the cast has — they deserve for people to come out and see them," Mrs. Frith-Hayward concludes.

• November 5 is 'Patrons Night', when they will be invited to join 'The Wake' after the show. Patrons' tickets, $60, are available via telephone, 293-8829, or e-mail hasana@northrock.bm. General admission is $35. Tickets are available at Fine Things, Queen Street; Foreign Cargo, Burnaby Street; Cessi's Boutique, Somerset.

Donations will be made to a new registered charity, No Child Goes Without, whose aims include offering community assistance to ensure that needy children receive the basic necessities, including school lunches, uniforms and writing supplies, to function on a daily basis. Other initiatives it aims to pursue include a financial assistance programme for summer camps, denim days, bake and other sales. For further information on the charity contact Ms Grejai Smith on 296-0193, or by e-mail nochildgoeswithout@hotmail.com.