CHILDREN are being invited to a Mad Hatter's Tea Party at Malvern Theatres.

On Saturday, February 2, the theatre will host a party to celebrate the first children's theatre show of 2008. It will coincide with a visit from shadow theatre specialists Indigo Moon Theatre, who are performing Alice and The White Rabbit on the same day. Before, or after watching the show, which is at 11am and 2pm, children can feast on sandwiches, jam tarts and fairy cakes.

Malvern Theatres, resident photographers Rachel and Phil Hibberd will also be present, taking professional portraits of partygoers which will then be available to buy.

Sophie McLellan, education officer at Malvern Theatres, said: "We are very excited about our new season of children's theatre, and we thought, what better way to get it started than with a party. The children can watch the performance and get to know the other youngsters, so when they come to see future shows they will have friends in the audience, making it an even more enjoyable experience, and hopefully making them lifelong theatre fans."

Alice and The White Rabbit is a unique puppet show inspired by Gothic architecture and mediaeval times.

Tickets - £6 for the show and £4 for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party - are available from the box office on 01684 892277.