As if opening night wasn?t nerve-wracking enough, a Bermudian drama group is setting itself a task of epic proportions ? to write, rehearse and perform six plays? all in the space of 24 hours.

The idea of ?24 Hours to Curtain? was devised by the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society?s Carol Birch in a bid to raise $1,000 for a new smoke machine for this year?s pantomime ?Sleeping Beauty?, which she is writing and directing.

She said: ?I came up with the idea after reading something on a drama website about a writing workshop that took place over a weekend, but ours has now evolved into something quite unique!

?I presented the basic idea of writing and producing a play in 24 hours to the BMDS drama committee who at first looked at me as if I were mad and then their imaginations took over and everyone added to the idea.?

The six writers ? John Gardner, Andrew Whalley, Val Butterfield-Wallbank, Barbara Jones, Angus Brown and Carol Birch ? will each start writing their ten minute plays at 8 p.m. tonight and must complete the scripts by 8 a.m. tomorrow.

At that point, it?s time for directors and cast members to take centre stage. They will have a further 12 hours to learn their lines and rehearse the ten minute productions in time for curtain call at 8 p.m. tomorrow ? just 24 hours after the playwrights had started putting the seeds of their ideas down on paper.

Ms Birch said everyone at the theatre was very excited about the prospect and what will come out of the plays.

?The buzz around the place has been fantastic,? she said, ?We do love a challenge.?

She said they have had lots of people signing up to be actors, directors and producers.

But, she said: ?There is always room for a few more actors.

?They need to be at the theatre on Friday night when they will be assigned to a playwright.

?Imagine having a play written especially for you.?

Directors are Jo Shane, Jim Brier, Steve Watts, Monica Dobbie, Graham Rendell and Annette Hallett.

Ms Birch said that although the aim of the one-off event was to raise cash for a smoke machine, the 24-hour production could be repeated.

?I certainly hope so, as it is a great event for the summer when you have to work around vacations and summer parties and events,? she said, ?But maybe you should ask us that again on Saturday night!

?Who knows what is going to happen, but if the energy level of the planing stages is anything to go by, be assured it will be fun for everyone and a regular event on our calendar.?

The Daylesford curtain rises for show time tomorrow night at 8 p.m. 24 hours from when the first ink hit the pages. Tickets are $10 and are available from BMDS.