The pace was fast, the characters were angry, elderly, shy and sassy, as WODYS – Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section - enjoyed a fun morning exploring the experience of full mask theatre.

Vamos Theatre, which is based at The Swan Theatre, Worcester, took its creative, imaginative, wordless world to the musical theatre group, giving members, aged eight to 18, chance to create characters and communicate with body language and gestures, but without speech. Joshua Patel, who has been with Vamos Theatre since 2019 and toured with their shows; taught, assisted and encouraged the youngsters in two workshops as, without words, they brought their masks to life.

Without speaking, but using their body language, hand gestures and mask theatre techniques, the members were asked to convey the characteristics the masks represented.

The youngsters explained all sorts of things from how their characters were feeling to what mode of transport they had used to get to the workshop. They took part in games such as Grandmother’s Footsteps and performed a short dance in the way they thought their characters would.

Their performances, were in parts, hilarious - at all times helping to stretch the youngsters’ acting skills and imaginations, encouraging them to think creatively and develop their confidence.

Vamos Theatre is a leading full mask theatre company in the UK, taking its funny and fearless brand of theatre across the length and breadth of the country and beyond since 2006. They will be performing their brand-new show ‘Boy on the Roof’ at The Swan Theatre on the 8th & 9th March 2024.

WODYS next production is The Addams Family, a new musical comedy with show-stopping numbers, a fantastic set and amazing costumes. This musical brings to life the spooky and kooky characters seen in the Addams films and popular TV programmes. It is a comical feast. The 57 members of WODYS are really looking forward to bringing this eccentric family to life at Worcester’s Swan Theatre from Tuesday 6 to Saturday August 10, 2024.

Book early as WODYS shows have a habit of selling out! Telephone the box office on 01905 611427.