DURSLEY Operatic and Dramatic Society is keen to attract new members.

This local amateur group presents three major productions each year at the Lister Hall, Dursley - a play in October, a pantomime in January and a musical in May. In addition, the society's junior section produces its own showcase at Kingshill House in the town in July.

Now, it is planning two initiatives designed to appeal to an even wider range of people.

For those who have seen some of the company's shows and wondered how the production side works, backstage tours are being offered after every performance of Jack & Jill and the Beanstalk.

This show opens on Saturday (January 19) and continues until Saturday, January 26. There will be a limit of 15 places per tour - each tour lasts approximately 20 minutes, so people are invited to sign up at the entrance when they come to see a performance. Tickets for the show are available in Dursley shops, including Future Finance.

The second new attraction is a day of acting workshops for adults. This will take place on Saturday, February 2 (2pm) at Kingshill House.

The afternoon will start with some warm-up exercises - nothing strenuous like circuit training: instead the aim is to get face muscles doing unusual gymnastics, like laughing and crying to order.

Then, participants will be able to choose from three workshops - comedy; dance and singing; stage combat. Refreshments will also be available.

Anyone who would prefer not to tread the boards' is invited to go on a tour around the wardrobe department. Many of the costumes used by the company are made by the in-house wardrobe team; and costume design is an important part of any production.

Publicity officer Alan Marshall said: "As a society we are always looking to welcome new members, and this year we are hoping that budding actors, or even those just wanting to have a bit of fun, will join us for this afternoon open house."

The event is free of charge but numbers will be limited - interested people are asked to sign up at the ticket office in Future Finance or at Lister Hall during pantomime week.