tickets for all performances in the 2001 programme are plentiful.

Sixteen widely varied acts will be presented throughout January and February at either the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts or City Hall theatre.

Although tickets have already been available to Festival supporters by way of an advance mail order for the past two weeks, general manager Toni Davis stressed no shortage had been created.

"With the Ruth Seaton James Centre we have double the seating capacity, and shows are unlikely to be sold out,'' she said. "There are still plenty of tickets -- and will be until Christmastime at least -- for most shows.'' Mrs. Davis also had more good news for patrons -- the Festival has modernised its ordering and box office systems.

A new on-line box office system, devised by Michael Davis of Point Media, will make ticket ordering more efficient. Patrons will now be able to order tickets over the Internet at the Festival's website: www.bermudafestival.com right up until the annual arts event finishes at the end of February.

"We anticipate that in the future ordering on-line will be the way to go,'' Mrs. Davis said of the move.

In keeping with a general shift towards technology and progress, the Festival will also be making some changes at its box office. This will include fully computerised ticketing service which allows tickets to be printed out as they are ordered.

"We are in the process of making it as user-friendly as possible,'' Mrs.

Davis explained.

Finally, the renovated box office next to the Visitors' Service Bureau on Front Street will be staffed by a team of three, each of whom will bring their business skills and knowledge to bear on a voluntary basis. They are Tony Davis, Brian Calahan and Derek Brashier.

Tickets for all events ordered on-line or by post before Friday, November 17 will be mailed. After that date tickets will have to be collected from the Festival box office.

In line with general practice at theatres elsewhere, refunds and exchanges will not be available once tickets have been purchased unless a performance is cancelled.

The Festival box office will remain open until December 15, and will re-open from January 8 to February 24. Hours are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Copies of the 2001 programme are available from the Visitors' Service Bureau and the rack by the steps leading to the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce offices, both on Front Street.