Two popular favourites with local audiences with return to open and close the Bermuda Festival. Philadanco, featuring members of the Philadelphia Dance Company, will lead the way with two performances on January 13 and 14, while the English Chamber Orchestra will ring down the closing curtains with three performances on February 26, 28 and March 1.

Other artists also returning by popular demand include charismatic storyteller Peter Searles, whose series `Hey Gringo!', based on tales of his travels through South America as an out-of-work actor played to sell-out audiences this year. In fact, demand for tickets so outstripped supply that he will repeat two of the 2002 performances, `Through Peru' and `A Chile Christmas', as well as adding a third: `Bolivia and Beyond'. All will take place between January 27 and 29.

The Aquila Theatre Company, whose presentations of Shakespeare and Homer were also very well received, will once again weave their theatrical magic as they present two well loved classics: Shakespeare's `A Midsummer Night's Dream' and Oscar Wilde's `The Importance of Being Earnest' between January 15 and 18.

British director Jane McCullough, who recently directed Shakespeare's `Love's Labour's Lost' for the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society, is returning to direct the English Chamber Theatre production of `Rupert Brooke - A Memoir', which she also devised. This will celebrate the Brooke's life in poetry, prose and music.

Canadian violinist James Ehnes is another returnee. In addition to being the featured soloist in the English Chamber Orchestra's opening concert of February 26, he will also give a solo recital on February 27.

Next year's local production, entitled `Walk Together Children', will be a combination of dance, stories, dramatised conversations, history, Negro spirituals and gospel songs - all performed by Ruth Thomas and Company. Featured performers will include The Ensemble Singers (formerly Word) directed by Lloyd Matthew, the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda, and Rejoice directed by Darryl Simons. Also appearing in this production will be Dr. Gary Burgess, Marcelle Clamens, Sophia Ebanks, Wendell (Shine) Hayward, Grace Landy, Edrene Malcolm, Leo Mills, Gary Phillips, Grace Rawlins and Philip Spencer.

Another talented Bermudian to grace the Festival 2003 stage is tuba player Kenneth Amis, who will make a guest appearance with a new act for Bermuda: Trombones de Costa Rica. This talented ensemble, consisting of four trombones and percussion, will present a varied programme ranging from Bach to Bernstein and Lloyd Webber, and including Costa Rican compositions. Performances dates are February 7 and 8.

Still in the Latin vein, jazz lovers can look forward to two performances, on January 31 and February 1, by Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, whose gravity-defying riffs and piercing high notes are legend. Backed by his band, the multi-Grammy Award winner will let rip with his wide-ranging virtuosity in a broad programme interspersed with humour, spontaneity and high spirits.

For a cappella singing at its finest, look to Chanticleer, a Grammy award-winning ensemble of 12 male voices whose work has been described by The Boston Globe as "breathtaking in its accuracy of intonation, purity of blend, variety of colour and swagger of style". On January 24 and 25 its `American Journey' will embrace everything from seventeenth century Mexican polyphony, through eighteenth and nineteenth century church music, to twentieth century jazz, folk and gospel.

Also in the a cappella vein is the African-American sextet Sweet Honey on the Rock, who have wowed audiences with their extraordinary harmonies for almost 30 years. Also Grammy Award winners, some of their music derives from old spirituals and the `60s civil rights movement, and some touches on gospel, jazz and blues, all of it sung with passion, commitment and showmanship. Earmark February 18 and 19.

Natalie Choquette, on the other hand, will offer `Opera with a Difference!' a mixture of hilarious and some of opera's best-loved pieces in a totally amusing programme.

Stand-up comedy coupled with brilliant guitar playing by Antonio Forcione will be offered from February 24 through 26. Graffoe's expressive face, relaxed stream of comedy and impeccable timing, when coupled with Forcione's remarkable musicianship, will produce an unforgettable evening's entertainment that also comes with a warning label: strong language and adult humour!

For good, clean fun for all the family, there's Momix in Orbit, billed as "a theatrical extravaganza" in which artistic director Moses Pendleton and his award-winning company create a spectacular blend of physical theatre, circus, athleticism and humour. They will give three performances beginning on February 21.

Ballet lovers are in for a very special treat when ex-Royal Ballet dancer Andrew Ward presents `Stars of the Royal Ballet'. This gala evening of dance will include performances by a galaxy of soloists from The Royal Ballet, and an added attraction of each evening will be the appearance of the legendary Wayne Sleep. Earmark February 13-15 to celebrate the beauty, passion and splendour of dance.

The Ying Quartet will debut on January 22 and 23 with two innovative programmes that mix works by composers like Haydn and Beethoven with contemporary composers as part of their long-term `LifeMusic' project. The latter connects the music they make with the American experience and issues of our time. Each year, this youthful and highly talented quartet of Chinese Americans commission two works, one from an established composer and one from an emerging composer, each of which writes a quartet that is inspired by some dimension of the American experience, and reflects the highest standards of musical excellence. The quartet's infectious enthusiasm and approachable stage presence draws their audience into their programmes.

The English Chamber Orchestra will have a new conductor next year: Ralph Gothoni. The first of its three programmes will feature James Ehnes on violin, while Mr. Gothoni will conduct and play the piano in the second. Stephanie Gonley will direct and play viola in the third and final performance, which will feature Ofer Falk on violin. Programmes will include works by Haydn, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Grieg and Handel.

While delighted with the 2003 line-up, Mrs. Pollard noted that it was also a very expensive one. Since the Bermuda Festival relies on public support for its success, she appealed for patrons to step forward and lend their financial support.

"We are always looking for further financial assistance, and if there are any new companies on the Island who are interested in supporting the arts we would ask them to contact us at the Festival office (telephone 295-1291) for further information," she said.