Wearing masks from Switzerland, performing in the style of a Parisian theatre tradition and acting parts of a play set in Chile, senior school students have taken part in workshops with a truly global flavour this week.

Pupils at CedarBridge Academy, the Berkeley Institute, Warwick Academy and Bermuda High School for Girls have benefited from sessions with London director and performer Paul Dix.

Mr. Dix was brought to the Island to work with youngsters who took part in this year's successful and inaugural Shakespeare Schools Festival, which has funded his visit.

Mr. Dix told The Royal Gazette that getting the students to wear "larval" masks from Basal in Switzerland allowed them to concentrate on physical performance in the style of French actor Jacques Lecoq.

"It gives them the freedom to take a risk, to really commit to the work," said Mr. Dix.

"Sometimes you have students who, when their face is showing, find it difficult to perform."

He said the sessions focused on comedy and tragedy, including Shakespeare's works, and a play called 'Widows' about the "disappeared" in Chile by Ariel Dorfmans.

"'Given that they have never experienced anything like this before they are just diving in with both feet and really taking advantage of having somebody new in and having a new experience," said Mr. Dix.

"From every school I have been at we have just had a really wonderful response from all of the students."

Josie Kattan, drama teacher at Berkeley Institute and workshops organiser, said: "It is fantastic, the work he is doing. My lot are mesmerised."