Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical Club is coming to town! This satirical organisation has been in existence since the late 18th century, and has produced its unique blend of comedy every year since then, with an interruption only during World War One.

The Club was formed in 1795 as an expression of rebellion to the college standards that required all Harvard students to "behave themselves blamelessly, and lead sober, righteous, and goodly lives.'' Every club member then proceeded to break each and every rule! The club was formed secretly in a dormitory room, and the aim of its members was to "cultivate the social affections and cherish the feelings of patriotism and friendship.'' Each member was to provide a "hearty pot of hasty pudding -- a mixture of cornmeal, milk and molasses,'' which was consumed along with the simple pleasures of liquor and tobacco.

But the club members weren't satisfied with this. They gradually broadened their fun, parodying the many campus debate societies.

The earliest Pudding shows took their inspiration from the professional theatre shows of the time. There were usually two or three productions per month, and these were restricted to the club members' dorm rooms -- exclusively for club audiences. However, the shows became extremely popular, and when the college granted theatre space to the club, general audiences were allowed to come.

The "space'' allotted to the club was a dingy building on the edge of an athletic field, and the club secretary, future US president Theodore Roosevelt, was led to call it "the shed''.

These dismal surroundings did not hinder the growth of the Pudding shows, for they soon gained national fame and notoriety. In fact, the show has grown from that little informal one-night dorm room play in 1845 to the semi-professional productions that are presented in Boston, New York and Bermuda.

The shows are still written by Harvard students, but according to Bermuda producer Elsbeth Gibson, the club now has professional musical and dance directors.

Mrs. Gibson and her late husband Don have had a long association with Hasty Pudding Theatricals since 1964, when Don took over production of the Bermuda showings.

"The Department of Tourism produced the show for one year, but audience attendance wasn't all that good,'' Mrs. Gibson recalled. "Don was asked to produce the next one, and continued to do so until his death in 1987. I carried on (producing) after that, and I've been doing so ever since.'' The show runs for six weeks in Boston, then for a weekend in New York, before coming to Bermuda to coincide with Harvard's Spring Break.

The Bermuda production has proven to be extremely popular with overseas visitors.

"We have had 52 enquiries (for tickets) so far,'' Mrs. Gibson said.

This is an excellent opportunity for Bermuda tourism, as the overseas visitors return year after year. The Harvard participants also return frequently. "The guys get married, and bring their wives here for their honeymoon,'' Mrs.

Gibson observed.

Speaking of guys, every cast member is male -- even the female parts are played by men! But women do write, produce, manage, work on the technical crew, and play in the band.

The Bermuda contingent numbers about 60 members.

Mrs. Gibson, well-known in the Bermuda theatrical world, recalled one of the first productions in the 1960's.

"The club used to import all of their sets and costumes to Bermuda. The first year we staged the shows, half of their containers were sent to France! Opening night had to be cancelled because all of their wigs and shoes, plus musical instruments were in France. But since then, thank God, everything has gone well!'' This is a purely extra-curricular activity. No college credit is given. Night rehearsals usually begin in the fall, so that the actors are "up to scratch'' by the time they reach Bermuda.

Some very famous people have passed through the Hasty Pudding experience -- illustrious men like Jack Lemmon, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Henry Cabot Lodge, William Randolph Hearst, Fred Gwynne, and John Pierpont Morgan, to recall a few.

The Bermuda audiences are not limited to a select few either.

"The audience covers a large cross-section of the Bermuda community. And on top of that it covers all ages. We have some devoted followers who wouldn't miss a year,'' Mrs. Gibson said.

And because so many Bermudians support the shows, tickets sell very rapidly, and are usually sold out well in advance.

This year's production is entitled "A Forum Affair'', and is set in ancient Rome and Egypt. It is an epic about love, death, and the lust for power.

Without giving away too much of the plot, the throne of Roman Emperor Pompey Circumstance is in jeopardy as Claudia Wayup and her odious husband Crassus Canbee plot to steal it.

This hilarious comedy can be seen at the City Hall Theatre from Wednesday, March 30, until Monday, April 4. There will be no Sunday performance. Tickets, for $20, can be purchased from the Visitor's Service Bureau Box Office, which will be open from Thursday, March 24.

BRINGING BACK COMEDY -- Actress and producer of the annual Bermuda showing of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Elsbeth Gibson is gearing up for another annual production by the Harvard student group. This year's production is "A Forum Affair'' -- a parody on the life in ancient Rome and Egypt.