Tonight's opening of the musical, 'Ragtime', at City Hall theatre is the final presentation of the 2008 Bermuda Festival. Based on E.L. Doctorow's 1975 award-winning novel of the same name, this outstanding piece of musical theatre portrays a slice of American life at the turn of the 20th century ¿ an important time in history.

Historical figures like Houdini, J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford and Booker T. Washington weave in and out of the picture as the lives of three groups of people are revealed: the white, wealthy family of Father, Mother, Son and Younger Brother; the downtrodden African-Americans led by Colehouse Walker, Jr., a Harlem musician; and the poor European immigrants, exemplified by the Latvian artist Tateh and his little girl.

They all have dreams, and the promose of the future is always right around the corner, but as the lives of the three families intersect, society is not always willing to change to accommodate those ambitions.

Directed to Vivienne Elborne and produced by Marjorie Stanton, the musical is being staged by the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and features a 40-strong cast of Bermudians and non-Bermudians from all walks of life, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Mrs. Elborne describes 'Ragtime' as "a stunning piece of theatre, filled with marches, gospel and ragtime music", and says it is "a window into history, into the growth of an era, and into our own souls".

n For tickets/further information, see website www.bermudafestival.com or visit the Festival box office adjacent to the ferry terminal between 12 noon and 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday (telephone 296-5774).