In order to reach the stage the guide conducted us down the passageway or aisle through the midst of the audience.

Then we ascended a platform at the end of the stage and went behind it into a long room where the actors were putting on costumes of a fantastic shape and painting their faces with bright coloured pigments.

Some of them also put on masks that would frighten a person should he meet the wearers suddenly.

The majority of the masks were caricatures of the human face and were comical in expression.

We felt quite at home on the stage at once; for here, seated on either side with the actors in the midst of the company, were many of our friends lay and clerical, men and women, looking on in wonder at the strange performance.