Thanks to a mystery benefactor, there will now be an extra matinee performance of the Gilbert & Sullivan's production of `Les Miserables', which opened to sold-out audiences at City Hall last night.

200 of the $30 tickets have been purchased by a donor who does not wish to be named, to enable Bermuda's public school children to see the show that has been called `the most popular musical in the world'. Remaining tickets, numbering about 150, were placed on general sale yesterday.

Making the announcement, Community Affairs Minister Yvette Swan revealed that she and Premier Pamela Gordon had worked closely with the donor and the Society to make this "once in a lifetime'' production accessible to as many of Bermuda's young people as possible.

"I am very excited by this venture because this is an important event for Bermuda,'' she said. "This is the first time that an amateur production has been allowed and I believe it is a great honour for Bermuda to have been selected ahead of countries like the US and UK. `Les Miserables' not only has great music, but also carries a wonderful message for our young people.'' `Les Miserables', based on the famous novel by Victor Hugo, is set against the background of the French Revolution. Besides relating that country's struggle for freedom and equality, it also tells the story of Jean Valjean, a reformed convict who, in his fight against the injustices of the times, acquires a status of near-sainthood as he also attempts to elude Javert, the police chief dedicated to Valjean's recapture. It has been suggested that the theme of the popular TV series and film `The Fugitive' had its roots in the novel.

Noting that her Ministry had been anxious to support the Society and, at the same time, ensure that the Island's middle and secondary schools and drama students from the Bermuda College would be able to see the show, Sen. Swan said: "We knew that our budget at the Ministry would not enable us to do this on our own, so this is an ideal solution. We are very grateful to the donor, who is also making a donation to the production. I think this also serves as a very good example of the way in which the public and private sector can work together.'' Adding her thanks to the anonymous donor, Society president Marjorie Stantion said: "We are very grateful indeed for this incredibly generous gesture. We invited some of Bermuda's schoolchildren to our dress rehearsal on Sunday and everyone remarked on how wonderfully behaved they all were. They were absolutely engrossed and it was only at the end that they went mad! They all got to their feet and cheered and cheered.'' The extra matinee performance of `Les Miserables' will take place at City Hall on Sunday, October 11 at 2.30 p.m. A limited number of tickets ($30) for this show are still available at the Visitors Service Bureau in Hamilton.