Since our revival in 2000 the Masques have
involved over a thousand volunteers and performers from all backgrounds, created five new musical theatre plays, written 55 new songs and dances and allowed 300 children to perform for the first
time.
The Boxford Masques offers open access to disadvantaged groups in the community, the
elderly, the differently abled, young people from all backgrounds, and those without easy access to the performance arts. Each play has a huge impact on rural
communities in West Berkshire providing art to those not easily able to travel to the bigger
regional hubs, bringing people together and increasing their sense of community.
In particular,
young people are encouraged to participate in and attend these plays. The majority of the cast is under 25 and half the cast are usually of primary school age. Everyone involved attends over thirty workshops in drama , dance and musical performance, all led by leading
professionals.
For the majority of the cast, this is the first such experience they have had and amongst other benefits for them
are:
-
a new appreciation of the arts
-
confidence from performing to a paying audience
-
education in drama, dance and music
-
an experience which is not available to many, particularly in rural West Berkshire
-
an event that brings together the community of Boxford and surrounding villages, and by necessity has young and old, as well as disabled people working together in teams for a common cause.
The Masques are entirely free for
all participants, with any or no experience, from any place
Want to get
involved?
See the contact page for
details.
Latest News
Party In The Park!
On a sunsoaked afternoon in Boxford, reminiscent of Masques gone by, around 150 people gathered and laughed, talked and listened to great music all afternoon.
Headlining were The Station, a local trio of unbounded talent fresh from sold out London gigs and a tour of Spain.
Supporting were the lovely lads from OMP, the velvet tones of Aoife and a stunning warm afternoon set from our very own Bridgerton superstar Ben Prout busting out some seriously good
music.
The children laughed and cheered at the theatre show and our furry friends enjoyed their own fun dog show; with Cosmo clean sweeping the prizes!
A huge thank you to everyone who came and supported Party in the Park last Saturday! We had a blast and what a lovely day it was.
Thanks so much for all the support from volunteers, stall holders, dog show organisers, childrens' theatre, bands, bar workers and the BBQ crew; we really could not do it without you.
A good amount of money raised for the next Masque in July 2025 and exciting to hear that a large chunk of the playwriting is already significantly progressed.
We can all begin to dream of heady summer days in Boxford next year; with a canvas, a play and more fun than any of us could wish for!
Thanks to all once more! x
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