Productions presents "Toussaint: Angel Warrior of Haiti,'' as part of the company's "Drama Fest '94'' at the City Hall theatre.

The play is a dramatic portrayal by Jamaican playwright Audley Haffenden of Haiti's independence movement, starring renowned New York actor Mr. Antonio Fargas.

Bermuda audiences will have a chance to meet Mr. Fargas at a reception at City Hall after the opening night performance on May 11.

"Mr. Fargas has expressed a personal wish to mingle with the audience and to meet as many people as possible. Some people will recall that he was here some years ago when he appeared in a Hatings Saltus production,'' says Mr. Reese Bartley, co-founder of Stage One Productions.

Stage One, a recently formed theatre production company founded by Mr. Bartley and Mr. Kensley McDowall, seeks to promote, with the sponsorship of the Bermuda Arts Council, the further development of theatre in Bermuda by bringing high quality performances to the Island as well as providing workshops to develop Bermudian talent.

Mr. Fargas, best known for playing "Huggy Bear'' in the former hit series "Starsky and Hutch,'' now focuses his talents in theatre and on film.

Broadway credits include "The Great White Hope'' with James Earl Jones, and "The Roast,'' directed by Carl Reiner. He has appeared in films including the popular "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka!'', "Car Wash,'' and "Greenwich Village.'' In addition to "Starsky and Hutch,'' Mr. Fargas' television credits include "Miami Vice,'' "McGyver,'' "The Cosby Show,'' and popular soap opera "All My Children.'' "Toussaint: Angel Warrior of Haiti'', tells the story of the Haitian Revolution and of the uprising by Toussaint L'Ouveture and an army of freed Haitian slaves against the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte in an effort to gain freedom and independence.

L'Ouveture was born a slave in 1743 at a time when slavery was at its worst in Haiti. The richest French colony at the time, Haiti was a veritable cauldron of trouble just waiting to boil over with its 40,000 whites living in luxury compared to the squalor endured by the 30,000 freedmen and 450,000 slaves.

Despite the circumstances of his birth, L'Ouveture learned to read and studied the writings of the great philosophers and military generals of his day in order to prepare himself for what he considered his "divine mission'' -- the liberation of Haiti. His military feats became legendary as he established himself as a brilliant strategist and leader. Under his leadership, road systems were developed, agriculture and education were improved, free trade was established, and slavery abolished.

His exploits quickly earned him the title, "the Black Bonaparte,'' a comparison that angered Napoleon. Betrayed by his own people, L'Ouveture was captured by Napoleon's army and taken to France, where he died in a dungeon cell in April, 1803, months short of Haiti's independence.

Audley Haffenden has taken the story of Haiti's liberation and has written a two-act play to unravel the enigma that was Toussaint L'Ouveture. His effort, "Toussaint: Angel Warrior of Haiti,'' ironically was the American entry at the 1985 International Arts Festival, held in Haffenden's native Jamaica. A graduate of Dillard University, his poems and short stories have appeared in several literary magazines, including "The Review,'' "Literary Affairs'' and "Ikon.'' "Drama Fest '94'' marks the beginning of Stage One Productions' contribution to theatre arts in Bermuda. In March, the company presented "Dark Cowgirls and Prairie Queens'' and a matinee performance of "Cric Crac'' in addition to holding workshops for secondary school drama students. This summer will also see a presentation of "Halley's Comet,'' which will feature actor John Amos, known to many as James Evans in the hit show "Good Times,'' and as the adult Kunta Kinte in "Roots.'' "Halley's Comet'' is the story of an 87-year-old man who reminisces on the personal and historical events that have occurred during his lifetime, between appearances of the famous comet. In this one-man play, Mr. Amos uses warm-hearted humour to address important social and ecological issues that affect all of us today.

Tickets for the May 11-13 performances may be reserved by calling 292-2313 or purchased direct from the City Hall Box Office from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Mr. Antonio Fargas.