No masking potential for fun

The Black Country will be putting on hundreds of different faces to welcome thousands of visitors from across the globe for the UK's first International Mask Festival.

More than 300 masks will be used in 32 productions being staged during the festival which kicks off tomorrow at the Glasshouse Arts Centre in Wollaston Road, Amblecote, Stourbridge. An eight-day programme of events will continue until October 27 with plays, workshops and talks.

A special big top theatre tent has been set up at the Glasshouse.

There will also be events at Stourbridge town hall bringing the action right into the heart of the town centre. Other events set to take place in the Mask Studio, Lower Glasshouse, Eurythmy Room and Lehr Studio Theatre.

A production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream by the Footsbarn Travelling Theatre is one of the highlights of the festival with performances tomorrow, Saturday, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday next week.

Actors will use masks to help bring the characters to life.

An adaption of Alice in Wonderland will be staged on Tuesday at 2pm and a display of African dancing called Pantheon of Deities – Dance of the Gods on the same day at 7.30pm.

A play set in the mysterious woodland, called in the Shadow of Trees, will be performed at the town hall on Wednesday at 3pm with The Fabulous Old Spot Theatre Company performing The Curse of Elverado on Thursday at 3pm.

For details log onto www. internationalmaskfestival.com or call 01384 399458. To book tickets for any of the shows contact 01384 812812 or visit www.dudley.gov.uk/entertainments