WHAT is love? It's a question to be comically debated when Strictly Matrimony, a one-act play, is performed at the City Hall Theatre in Hamilton next week.

Written by Errol Hill, a Trinidadian drama professor at New Hampshire's Dartmouth College, the play is loosely based on events which took place in Jamaica, according to its co-producer, Kevin Bean.

"It's set in the islands in 1955," he said, "and looks at what happens when an English lady, Polly Lovemuggins, arrives and brings with her, her narrow perceptions; one of them being that people on the island don't live right.

"She's an uptight, white glove-wearing woman whose only walk of life is her own and she arrives and turns the whole island upside down. She meets Manny and his wife Bella, who are living as concubines which, in her mind, is incredible.

"It's hard to tell the story without giving it all away but the bottom line is that it asks the question, 'What is love to you?' Manny and Bella were quite happy before Lady Lovemuggins came along and tried to show them what their love should be."

Performed by Circuit Theatre Players in conjunction with KDB Entertainment, the play centres around five characters - Lady Lovemuggins, played by Laura Gorham; Manny, played by Rotimi Martins; Bella, played by Denise Whitter; the Rev. Timothy Shrimp, played by Danjou Anderson, and Slick, played by Mr. Bean.

"It's not possible for people not to like it as it's a true comedy in every sense," he said. "Slick is Bella's half brother. He's a real funny character - a con man, a petty thief. Danjou Anderson's character, Rev. Timothy Shrimp, is a minister who came to town with Lady Lovemuggins and a bit of a loose cannon."

The play, he says, is only loosely based on events which took place in Jamaica as seen by its author. Mr. Hill, who was born in Trinidad, trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and at the Yale School of Drama.

His West Indian folk musical, Man Better Man, was produced by the Negro Ensemble Company in 1969 while he was appearing as Othello and directing The Royal Hunt of the Sun with the Dartmouth Summer Repertory Company. His book on the theatrical elements of the Trinidad Carnival is soon to be published.

"I am pleased that the Circuit Theatre Players and KDB Entertainment of Bermuda are presenting my farcical drama, Strictly Matrimony, and send warm wishes to the company and their audiences for an enjoyable evening," said Mr. Hill.

"It was written in Jamaica many years ago when I was attached to the then-Extra Mural Department of the West Indies University. It was meant to be a satirical commentary on well-meaning society ladies who sought to arrange marriages of unwed couples living together happily but 'in sin' as the ladies saw it."

Mr. Bean says the natural repertoire which exists between the cast members should also add to the play, which he is co-producing with Mr. Martins.

"All of us have been acting for a very long time although I hadn't been on stage for almost three years. I have a small sound company, Sky Tech LAV, which has been taking up all my time but I wanted to get back on the stage and I figured the only way was to get on (stage) with people I trust and who I love to watch myself. I have a great respect for everybody involved."

Co-producer of the play is Rotimi Martins.

Strictly Matrimony runs from September 4 through 12 at the City Hall Theatre although there is no performance on Sunday, September 8. Tickets are $25 and available at People's Pharmacy, Caesar's Pharmacy in Somerset and the City Hall Box Office between noon and 2 p.m. or by calling 238-2614 or 799-8790. Show time is 8 p.m. with part proceeds to be donated to the Bermuda National Gallery's upcoming Literacy exhibition.