This year?s Bermuda Festival programme promises a hot line-up of raunchy romps, explosive percussionists, firebrands, rhythmic versatility, and rousing reprisals.

?This will be a wonderful festival,? said Chairman Geoffrey Moore. ?I don?t think any of the performances should be missed. We have such an eclectic and diverse programme. Our aim is to cover the spectrum of our audience?s interests and to entertain our visitors.?

He said this year ? the festival?s 30th ? is a little different, because there is comedy in store.

?We have been successful in getting Defending the Caveman,? said Mr. Moore. ?This is one of the longest running solo plays in Broadway history and exploits the difference between men and women in a thought-provoking fashion.

?I saw it at the University of Florida Performing Arts Festival. I don?t usually laugh out loud, but I was in hysterics. It will be a tremendous start to the festival.?

He said the most difficult tickets to obtain will probably be ?Defending the Caveman?, ?AMICI Forever? and ?Momix Opus Cactus?, among others.

?Those are the shows I know will go very quickly,? he said. ?They will be difficult to get seats for. Come November you should already be planning to obtain them.?

Mr. Moore has been chairman of the festival for seven years, and is hoping to retire at the end of this one.

? I would like to leave on a high note and I would like to leave before I become stale,? he said. ?The difficult thing will be finding a replacement. It is a wonderful job, but it is not easy to find someone who can devote the time involved.?

As usual, the programme will have something for everyone ? everything from jazz to opera, ballet to flamenco dancing, juggling to the magic of Momix. Dynamic Russian duo pianists and the Moscow Chamber Orchestral will delight classical music lovers, while sensational AMICI Forever?s blending of pop and classical is described as ?arias with attitude?. The National Black Touring Circuit Inc. will trace the history of gospel music in words, dance and song, while opera lovers will have a rare opportunity to enjoy Mozart?s ?Don Giovanni?.

Theatre-goers can look forward to two plays: Rob Becker?s popular ?Defending the Caveman? which launches the Festival, and Yasmina Rice?s ?The Unexpected Man?, which Bermudian Joel Froomkin will return home to direct. It will star well-known Broadway and television actress Harriet Harris.

Bermuda?s Gilbert & Sullivan Society will bring the 2005 Festival to a close with the specially-created programme ?Show Stoppers!? ? a compilation designed to take listeners on a wonderful journey through local musical theatre over the years, plus excerpts from well-known, current Broadway shows.

In all, the 2005 line-up includes 13 acts and 34 performances.

Bermuda Festival patrons have been chomping at the bit to find out what?s in store this season. The full 2005 Bermuda Festival brochure should be in mailboxes shortly.

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(January 13-15)

Rob Becker?s hilarious play, starring Chris Sullivan, is a comedy of miscommunication that explores the differences between men and women. Adult humour with some strong language. Longest running solo play in Broadway history; has played to sold-out audiences across North America. (January 18, 19)

The seamless perfection of dazzling duo-pianists from Kiev, Ukraine. Valentina Lisitsa and Alexei Kuznetsoff display unanimity of approach and technical brilliance as they present two different programmes with works by Mozart, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Haydn, Brahms, and Shostakovich.(January 21, 22)

Pianist Tyner has been an inspiration for whole generation of contemporary jazz pianists. Early association with saxophonist John Coltrane. Has blues-based piano style. One of the most ubiquitous in improvised music today. Will be joined by special guest, virtuoso Latin flutist (January 23-25)

National Black Touring Circuit Inc?s lively production traces history of gospel music from its origins to in the struggles of African slavery to the glittering concert hall performances of contemporary gospel artists. All-male ensemble delivers with passion in performances that includes dramatic word, song and dance. Written and directed by Elizabeth van Dyke, director of last year?s Bermuda Festival production of Marian Anderson biography.January 26, 27)

Vivacious San Francisco-based contemporary dance company redefines classical ballet through innovative collaborations with musicians from diverse backgrounds and traditions. Alonzo King, with his extraordinary dancers, exemplifies all that is thrilling and exciting.(January 28, 29)

Sexy, alluring and talented vocal quintet enjoys huge success with its clever blend of pop and classical, dubbed ?arias with attitude? by Classical FM Magazine. Nominated for 2004 Classical Brit Award with their CD ?The Opera Band?. Rapidly reaching pop cult status. Ranging from Puccini to Presley, programme will include excerpts from ?The Pearl Fishers?, ?Turandot?, ?Zadok the Priest? and ?Requieum for a Soldier? from ?Band of Brothers.?

The Unexpected Man (January 31, February 1, 2)

Bermudian Joel Froomkin returns home to direct this touching, witty play, which stars Harriet Harris, one of Broadway?s busiest actresses, beloved for her television characters (Frasier, X Files, Six Feet Under), and Tony winner for ?Thoroughly Modern Millie?. Plot is sparkling and suspenseful, and centres around two strangers on a train whose initially lonely, silent journey becomes the adventure of a lifetime. Play is sharp, funny and sexy, and staged especially for The Bermuda Festival. (February 4, 5)

Juggler and MacArthur Fellow, who is one of the world?s most visionary artists who has revolutionised this ancient circus art and turned it into a mesmerising form of theatre. Critically acclaimed by leading media. Incorporates the rich beauty of art, science, physics and mathematics. Show of creative, fantastic and impossible feats includes, for first time, unique audience participation. Perfect family event, with family-friendly curtain times.(February 7-9)

Thanks to generous sponsors, The Opera ? la Carte Company will bring this popular Mozart opera to the Festival stage. Set in the18th century, director Nicholas Heath?s interpretation is a raunchy romp, with singers drawn from Britain?s most famous opera houses. A rare opportunity to enjoy this well-known opera. (February 11, 12)

Highlighting the power and passion of southern Spain?s song, dance and music, one of the world?s finest flamenco guitarists, Paco Pe?a, brings his company to Bermuda. Performance features guitarists, singers and dancers. Showcasing the rhythmic versatility of the guitars, the emotional outpouring of the singing and sinuous seduction of the dancing will bring to life Andalusian gypsy society.(February 14, 15)

Debut Bermuda performance en route to Carnegie Hall for start of US tour. Founded in 1956 by renowned conductor/violinist Rudolph Rashai, orchestra has been an inspiration to important Russian composers, including Shostakovich who entrusted the first performance of his 14th Symphony to it. Internationally recognised and acclaimed, it will present two different programmes including works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Sarasate and Haydn.(February 18-20)

Leaving captivated Festival audiences in its wake in 2003, Momix returns with a new show entitled ?Opus Cactus?, which takes its inspiration from the flora, fauna and simple magic of the American Southwest. Moses Pendleton?s ingenuity, theatricality and cunning imagination create vivid images of the desert. A combination of illusion, theatrical experience and dance athleticism to entrance all ages. Good family event.(February 22-26)

Bermuda?s own Gilbert & Sullivan Society brings Festival to an end with a show that takes audiences back in time through the wonderful journey of years of musical theatre on the island. Rousing reprisals of the Society?s past glories will delight audiences. Performances will include excerpts from well-known shows not yet produced by the Society, and songs from current Broadway hits, including ?Hairspray?, ?Thoroughly Modern Millie?, and ?Momma Mia?. Finale guaranteed to leave theatregoers with a song on their lips and a bounce in their step.

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