world's highest literary honour, the Nobel Prize, is the author of the play selected by Bermuda's West Indian Association for their annual drama production.

"Beef, No Chicken'' by St. Lucia poet and playwright Derek Walcott will be presented at City Hall on October 22 through October 24.

"The Association is basking in the reflected glory of Mr. Walcott,'' says Mr.

Kensley McDowall, the play's producer.

Mr. McDowall, a police constable attached to the East End division, has been in Bermuda for 21 years. He comes from St. Vincent, just 21 miles across the Caribbean from St. Lucia, home of the new Nobel winner.

"He is the first West Indian to have achieved this distinction. It's strange, but we never considered doing one of his plays until this year. But the timing couldn't be better,'' he laughs.

Another well-known play by Derek Walcott, "Dream on Monkey Mountain'' was, however, performed in Bermuda some years ago.

"Beef, No Chicken'' is a contemporary comedy, set in Trinidad. It deals with the corruption of a small town trying to come to terms with the industrialisation that a new highway will bring to the area.

Mr. McDowall says that the play's gentle and subtle wit is sure to appeal to a very wide audience.

Nobel winner Walcott's play `Beef, No Chicken' From Page 15 are double-cast. The male lead is taken by Michael Charles in the role of restaurateur and mechanic, Otto Hogan. Well known for his appearances on the track and field, this will be the first time that Mr. Charles will be seen on the theatrical track.

His sister, Euphony Hogan, will be played by popular local actress Inola Hall.

The role of school master Elridge Franco will be taken by Wilhelm Bourne, a lawyer who also studied acting and drama at Queen's University.

Delaey Robinson, one of Bermuda's leading actors who spends much of his spare time conducting drama workshops, takes on the dual roles of the TV newscaster and a building contractor.

The production will be directed by Enid Christopher, with the sets designed by retired police officer Reese Bartley and costumes and wardrobe by Lorette Trott.

Tickets at $15 are obtainable from the City Hall box office (292-2313). A limited number of tickets ($25) are available for Thursday, October 22, which has been designated Patrons' Night, when there will be a reception so that the audience can meet the cast and production crew.

NOBEL WINNER'S PLAY -- `Beef, No Chicken' by St. Lucian playwright Derek Walcott, the Nobel Prize for Literature, will be performed by the West Indian Association next week. Pictured are the play's director, Miss Enid Christopher, left, and producer Mr. Kensley McDowall.