FAMOUS for 15 Minutes, the local playwriting festival which grows in appeal each year, kicks off at the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society (BMDS) next week.

As part of the annual production, a 'blind' panel of judges selects six plays to be performed at BMDS' Daylesford Theatre, after which an overall winner is declared.

This week the chatted with various performers about their upcoming 15 minutes of fame., written by Henry Godfrey, follows what happens ? or, more accurately, what information is revealed ? during the interval of a football game attended by four working-class mates.

Director Shirley Cook and actor Jonah Jones praised Mr. Godfrey's script and the concept of staging a 15-minute production.

"What's wonderful is that you have the input of the writer which is something that doesn't normally happen; that they can give insight as they see it," said Ms Cook. "I certainly think has the potential of winning. It's a nice blend of humour and drama and I think it follows something most people can relate to; the issue brought out is a common subject."

Said Mr. Jones: "It's a short play, so realistically speaking there's less rehearsal time. It's not as onerous as a two-hour production which is a nice introduction for someone who wants to get back into acting or who has never done it before."

Director of , Angela Gentleman, described it as "a universal story about the power of love and its enduring quality as understood by Hilda (played by Denise Astwood), and Maureen, (played by Rowan Hallett)".

Written by Kelvin Hastings-Smith, ? like deals with a familiar subject matter.

"It's a well-written play and a lot of it centres around the emotion in it which I think the audience will find easy to identify with and could possibly shed a tear," Ms Gentleman added.

Director Marie Hans Kromer and actress Kerry Murphy said they were excited to take Carol Birch's play, , before an audience.

The play looks at three sisters who conspire together after Yara, played by Ms Murphy, is gang raped by soldiers. According to Ms Murphy, so enticing is the plot that she "fell in love with it" immediately upon reading the script and was delighted when offered the part.

For first-time director, Ms Hans Kromer, the simple concept behind the Famous for 15 Minutes productions only add to the beauty of Ms Birch's work.

"I think it's wonderful evening theatre. I love the idea ? a simple set, simple costumes, design ? it's all very effective at bringing the words to life."follows the tumultuous relationship between a daughter and her alcoholic father. Written by Deborah Pharoah, the winner of last year's competition, it stars Debbie and Madison Mello and Phil Corigliano.

"I play a character who's arrived home for her father's funeral and my daughter, Madison, plays the younger me," explained Ms Mello. "She and Phil play out the relationship the father and the daughter had when he was alive. It's about coming to terms with your life; how you wouldn't be who you are without the things that took place in your life."

Written by Andra Simons, centres around one woman's monologue, depicting her state of mind after experiencing a still-born birth.

"It's a one-person piece," explained director Brian Webb. "It's been a work in progress for two years and is partly autobiographical. The monologue is where she addresses issues in her life with her sister, who is represented by the audience. It's very lyrical, very disturbing, and written in blind verse, so it's very poetical. It has core elements of comedy and tragedy and it's beautifully written."

Actress Khalilah Smith said the challenge of a monologue wasn't enough to detract her from appearing in the production.

"Acting a monologue is difficult, and easier, than acting a role in a play with other actors. (In that situation), you have people to feed off and react to. With a monologue, the challenge is to keep it interesting; something people can relate to.

"I'm fortunate that I have a good director. I feel very safe and protected because I know Brian will lead me down the right path as far as performance. I'm not alone because the direction is good."

Also appearing in next week's event is , written by Jean Hannant.

Robert Richmond, Associate Artistic Director of the Aquila Theatre Company and a teacher in the Classical Studio at New York University's TISCH School of the Arts will determine which play receives the top award, the Golden Inkwell.

q Play performances for the third annual festival will take place at the Daylesford Theatre, corner of Washington and Dundonald Streets, 8 p.m. March 17 through 20 with an additional showing at 4 p.m. on the final day. Tickets, $20, are available from the box office at Daylesford Theatre between 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., online at www.bmds.bm, or by phone during box office hours at 292-0848.