RAIN stopped play on the first night of Re:verse Theatre's open-air production of Volpone at the Rowntree Park amphitheatre in York, when Monday's torrential downpour threatened the wellbeing of the all-important masks.

Presented in the style of a Venetian carnival, Ben Jonson's boisterous satire is an animal fable for grown-ups, for which director-designer Ben Prusiner and costume designer Laura Elizabeth Rice have created masks in papier mache, wire and plastic, not least for a two-headed Judge, four feet  wide in the style of a political effigy in a parade.

"The masks are waterproof and can withstand light rain without any issues, but Monday night's rain was much too heavy! Judging from the current forecast, we should be able to perform tonight, and actors may also continue to perform without masks if that becomes necessary," says Prusiner, whose production forms part of the 2017 York International Shakespeare Festival.

The weather forecast predicts more rain for tomorrow's 7pm show and for the further performances on Saturday and Sunday at 3pm and 7pm. "I'm open to any suggestions for alternative indoor venues," says Prusiner, who already is contemplating switching tomorrow's show. "It wouldn't have the same visual effect but at least the audience would still see and hear the performance."

On Monday, the cast retired to the Winning Post, in Bishopthorpe Road, to run lines. No venue, however, is yet to be confirmed for the shows, should Re:Verse be forced indoors.

If outdoors, audience members are invited to bring a blanket, chair or even a picnic. Tickets are free, although a suggested donation of £10 can be given at the gate and reservations can be made at volpone-or-out-foxed.eventbrite.co.uk.