Some of Bermuda's best theatrical talent will be on view this winter when the Jabulani Repertory Company opens its second season of cocktail theatre at the Princess Hotel.

Last year, Jabulani proved that the concept of theatrical entertainment, staged in an informal setting, was a huge success with both tourists and locals.

So for this season, director Patricia Pogson and producer Dusty Hind have come up with four brand new offerings. From November through to April 1, four plays will be staged in the Gazebo Lounge on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Says Ms Pogson, "After looking at last year's season, we recognised what the tastes of the audience were. We now know that if we had musical comedy, it would work, so this year, we have produced two, and also a murder mystery, as these are very popular in Bermuda. And with the large expatriate community, we decided a farce would go down very well -- so we have a combination of laughter, glitzy vaudeville, musical comedy and edge-of-the-seat suspense, all of which we think will keep everyone entertained.'' The first production will be "Don't Dress for Dinner,'' billed as the British Farce -- in spite of its French playwright, Marc Camoletti. Still running to sold-out audiences at the Apollo Theatre in London, Jabulani's version opens on Thursday, November 3.

This will star Tricia Morgan and Paul Matthews, who are back onstage together for the first time since they appeared in the Gilbert & Sullivan production of "The Boy Friend.'' Ms Morgan will also be remembered as the Princess in the pantomime "Sinbad,'' Mr. Matthews is also well known for his appearances in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern,'' "Six Degrees of Separation,'' and, most recently, in "Joan of Arc.'' Also appearing are Arthur Lugo, who was seen at last year's Bermuda Festival as Henry VII in "Richard III'' and in the one-act play, "Obituary for a Polar Bear'' at Daylesford this summer, and Carol Birch who received acclaim for "Shirley Valentine,'' two years ago at Daylesford.

Completing the cast are Mark Pettingill, who played the unfortunate Hastings in "Richard III'' and the Dame in "Sinbad,'' and newcomer to Bermuda's boards, Marina Brown.

There will be a change of pace when "One Mo' Time'' presents an evening of 1920s black vaudeville.

Ms Pogson says that Vernel Bagneris's was a big hit when it premiered at the Lyric Theatre in New Orleans in 1926, at a time when theatre was still segregated. The musical director will be Grant Williams, with choreography by Suzette Harvey. Taking part will be some of the Island's favourite performers, including Denise Whitter, who appeared in Jabulani's "Livin' Fat'' and "Horowitz and Mrs. Washington'' last winter, and Nayte Paxton, both of whom are appearing in the Time Tunnel at the Sonesta Beach Hotel. Ginea Edwards, who was seen in "The Coloured Museum,'' Khalilah Smith, who scored a big success in last year's "The King and I'' and Danjou Anderson ("Six Degrees of Separation'' and "Livin' Fat'') complete the cast.

Suspense is provided by the classic comedy thriller, "Deathtrap,'' by Ira Levin. Starring will be Richard Fell (an incomparable King in "The King and I''), Bermuda's veteran actress Connie Dey, the versatile Annette Hallett, as well as Jens Hansen and Dal Tucker.

Completing the quartet is "Nunsense,'' a foot-tapping happy musical that is still playing in various theatres across the US (it has been running for years in Boston). Dan Goggin's musical centres on the Little Sisters of Hoboken, New Jersey, who decide to raise funds by staging a talent show.

Taking part will be Connie Dey, Denise Whitter, Fran Tucker, Khalilah Smith and Dee Martin.

Speaking of her casts, Ms Pogson says, "We have some wonderful people working with us this year! Richard Fell is really a professional actor, very easy to mould and direct. His sense of time is impeccable. Tricia Morgan is very meticulous, lots of fun to work with -- and always very rational!'' Describing Ginea Edwards as Bermuda's "queen of comedy,'' she comments, "Just looking at her makes me laugh.'' She singles out Fran Tucker as an excellent tap dancer and "one of the most heavenly voices.'' Khalilah Smith is described by Patricia Pogson as "my baby girl -- I've been watching her since she was 12 in my school productions and I feel very proud that she is here with us this year. I'm also pleased to be able to give Alan Smith (stage manager) the opportunity to get some practical experience. He has the ability to develop as a writer, and I hope he will go off and work with other people in the industry.'' "Don't Dress for Dinner'' run November 3-5. Tickets, with bar service available, are $20, or the full, four-course Dinner Show Package is $49. For reservations, telephone the Princess Hotel at 295-3000.

THE JABULANI CREW -- Some of the talent that is joining forces for this year's Jabulani Repertory Company season at the Princess Hotel includes (back, left to right): Alan Smith, Jens Hansen, Richard Fell, Denise Whitter, Danjou Anderson, Connie Dey, David Bean (2nd row): Stacy Wainwright, Carol Birch, Nayte Paxton, Ginea Edwards, Annette Hallett and Khalilah Smith (3rd row): Dee Martin, Tricia Morgan, director Patricia Pogson, Paul Matthews, Fran Tucker and (front row): Dal Tucker, Marina Brown and producer Dusty Hind.