It's set two days before Christmas, but this "play with music" draws as much from issues affecting the Island as it does the festive spirit.

'Love's Holiday' presented by the Love Alive Ministries will feature some of the Island's top talents as well as two international acts and opens tonight.

But as writer and director Patricia Pogson-Nesbitt says: "The inspiration behind the play, which incidentally is not a musical, but a play with music, was initially inspired by the fact that so many families had suffered the loss of a loved one from road fatalities, or acts of violence, and at this time of year, they are faced with a sense of emptiness that people who have not experienced that type of loss could ever begin to understand.

"Love Alive Ministries wanted to reach out to those families and let them know there are people in the community that are there for them who wanted to reach out to them and embrace them at this time of year."

'Love's Holiday' shows the transformation of Dot Burgess, from scrooge to a believer as a result of her extended family.

"She is a 70-year-old woman who hates Christmas and Christmas carols, but she loves to receive presents," said the playwright.

"In essence she is a scrooge, an atheist who does not buy into the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. She is a spinster who lives with her sister Annie, who is also unmarried.

"Annie is an extremely kind woman who enjoys everything about Christmas and is very religious. She has invited several people over to her house for Christmas cheer the night before Christmas Eve.

"In addition, Annie is faced with a sister who is rude and flippant and on this particular evening she is way out of order and this shrew must be tamed.

"The backdrop to the evening's celebrations is that the community news brings stories of more violence in society, and a group of youths have got together to have their views heard."

Mrs. Pogson-Nesbitt said the production was timely, as Love Alive Ministries is about to launch its mentoring programme called LAMP.

"LAMP will offer young people an opportunity to explore their talents with noted performers and athletes," she said.

"The hope is that where there are issues, the mentoring programme will help them to work through them. They will come to understand that having talent is not enough. It is scheduled to start in January."

'Love's Holiday' will include cameo performances by visiting vocalists, Daryl Coley and Wess Morgan.

"It will also feature some of Bermuda's top talent including the L.A. Crew, The Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, The SDA Inspirational Choir, New Season Choir, actresses Nishanthi Bailey and Laurel Burns, the Bermuda Donquili Dance & Drumming Troop, and the L.A. Troop."

The play will take place at the Heritage Worship Centre, on the corner of Dundonald and Union Streets in Hamilton. It runs until Saturday, and will be presented under the patronage of Finance Minister Paula Cox.

Tickets $45, are available from Heritage Book Store, the Christian Book Store, Caesar's Pharmacy, Hott 107.5 FM, www.boxoffice.bm and www.lovealiveministries.com.