A DOUBLE dose of arts is on the menu for audiences at Number 8 in Pershore in February.

Upside Down and Back to Front is a project comprising a new play by Worcestershire playwright Lance Woodman and a visual arts installation by artist Sheila Farrell.

It is produced by Worcester-based arts production company artworcs which was responsible for last year's highly successful The Festival in the Festival, providing Script Slam, all-day workshops, and an eclectic and anarchic evening of arts events for Worcester Festival visitors.

The play Upside Down and Back to Front looks at the impact of photography on our lives.

Set in 1913, it tells the story of a young photographer as he travels around Worcestershire. The audience is taken on a journey through the pictures he creates and the relationships he forms. As he learns his craft this journey changes his life forever.

Sheila Farrell's installation takes everyday objects and looks at how photography changes perceptions as people are "captured" through the lens.

Accompanying the play and installation will be a series of workshops led by artist Sheila and Lance.

The piece is aimed at a wide range of participants and people will be asked to bring in photographs of their own that hold special significance, to talk about the stories behind those photographs, and to construct new stories.

An accompanying exhibition will be collected of the photographs brought in which will be displayed in the gallery at Number 8.

Deborah Rees, artworcs arts consultant, said the company's aim was to create accessible art.

"We want to create high quality, inspirational and professionally led projects that cross all art forms and relate to the people of Worcestershire," she added.

The installation will run from Monday, February 14, to Saturday, March 5, and the play will be performed on Friday, February 25, and Saturday, February 26

Ticket cost £10 (£7 concessions) for the play and the installation is free.

Call 01386 555488 for more details.

BRIEFLY

what's going on

Relive 60s AUDIENCES at Huntingdon Hall on Thursday will have a chance to relive the swinging 60s.

The show entitled A 60s Night Out will feature two of the most exceptional harmony bands to have come out of the era - The Fortunes and The Ivy League.

Tickets to see both bands perform their full live concerts cost £14 and are available from the box office on 01905 611427.

G&S night

MEMBERS of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company will provide a fun-packed Feast of Gilbert and Sullivan at the Swan Theatre on Sunday.

The group will perform items from all the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, including short scenes with dialogue.

Tickets for the 8pm performance cost £12.50 and are available from the box office on 01905 611427.

Opera opus

HATSTAND Opera will provide audiences at Number 8 in Pershore with hilarious scenes of heart-rending arias from the world's favourite operas on Friday, February 4.

Golden Moments also offers some of the finest and daftest moments in opera - from hilarious hairdressers and conniving cousins, to ugly and not-so-ugly sisters.

It is laughs, high emotions and surprises all the way.

Hatstand's three professional opera singers and a pianist engage in quick costume changes and informal presentation while presenting top-notch singing for a great evening of entertainment.

Even the most opera-shy will recognise excerpts from operas by Puccini, Mozart and Rossini. Tickets for the 7.30pm performance cost £8 (£7 concessions) and are available from the box office on 01386 555488.