SHOPPERS in Devizes were astonished to a see a man with a flower pot for a head walking through the town last Thursday.

The strange creature paused at fruit and veg stalls and flower shops to commune with the flora on display and was happy to pose for photos with local people.

Beneath the horticultural disguise lurked Mark Bishop, of the Natural Theatre of Bath, which is working with Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts to train young people in street theatre.

DOCA’s artistic director Dave Buxton said: “Mark caused a lot of interest in the town. He got very friendly with a pineapple at the fruit and veg shop in The Brittox and soon had a crowd following him around.

“The point of the exercise was to promote our street festival, which takes place on August bank holiday Monday, and the fact that we have got some funding to do workshops with young people in street theatre.

“It is not just a matter of putting on a costume and walking about. As Mark was doing, you have to learn to interact with the crowd. The youngsters will be encouraged to work up their own routines. It doesn’t have to be street theatre, they can use the workshops to create their own little dramas.”

The workshops are due to begin in May and there will be a small charge. Actors from the Natural Theatre will work with young people to create routines to perform at Devizes International Street Festival, Corsham Festival and possibly Bath Festival.

It is not the first time the Natural Theatre has collaborated in such a scheme. Two years ago they worked with students from Devizes School in a Coneheads routine, where extra-terrestrial visitors reacted to the strange goings-on in earthly society.

Anyone interested in signing up to the workshops can find more information online at www.docadevizes.org.uk or by calling Jo Beal on 07880 239598.