The hugely popular outdoor theatre Boxford Masques is back.
After a gap of four years, it will be staged in the beautiful setting of Welford Park - by kind permission of the Puxley family. The next production, A LITTLE DRAMA AT THE BIG HOUSE will be in July 2012.

Award winning author, Geraldine McCaughrean, who adapted the recent productions from the original scripts written by Charlotte Peake, is now busy writing a new play for next year inspired by Charlotte Peake's own life and original magical Edwardian stories.

At the start of the last century Charlotte Peake wrote and staged yearly plays at her Boxford home, which were performed by servants and farmhands. This new play is inspired by her. The plot centres around Charlotte's craving for an outlet for her lively imagination which inspires her husband to imagine a theatre space in the garden, a venue for a midsummer theatrical event. Charlotte's enthusiasm quickly engulfs the whole household. How will the indoor staff get along with the farmhands? Will the visitors from town share Charlotte's liking for Nature?

The Masques, under Ade Morris's direction, will be will be produced in association with the watermill Theatre. In addition a team of professionals and a cast of about 60 amateurs will be drawn from the local community. Ade Morris says the story will unfold in front of the magnificent Queen Anne facade of Welford House "This dramatic, all-dancing, all-singing event, using the 'Big House' itself as an essential character to the story, promises to be as unique and memorable as ever."

The original seven Masques, performed between 1899 and 1910 as series of small outdoor musical plays, were re-created very successfully, as a large community performance, on Hoar Hill, Boxford in Millennium Year 2000 involving nearly 100 people. Since then there have been a further four Masques, finishing with KNIGHT AND DAY in 2008.

Anyone who is interested in participating or funding please email info@boxfordmasques.org.uk.