'People's theatre' has long served as a platform for the expression of social, economical or political concerns. However, methods vary from culture to culture - as the demonstrators at last December's World Trade Organisation meeting illustrated. Next week, the South Koreans are back - but only to conduct a series of workshops and performances about this grassroots art form.

Organised jointly by the Centre for Community Cultural Development (CCCD) and the Asian People's Theatre Festival Society, the Hong Kong Madang Festival comprises a two-day workshop in San Po Kong, and two performances (August 24 and 25) at On&On Theatre, Cattle Depot Artists Village. It will feature five South Korean artists from the people's theatre.

South Korea 'has a very vigorous people's theatre movement', according to the organisers, with powerful indoor and outdoor performances.

CCCD member Jenny Li Chun-nei says madang means public square or courtyard in Korean, and it's an important venue where ordinary people gather and socialise. What makes madang theatre special is its use of masks in storytelling.

'Masks are commonly featured in Korean traditional dance and theatre,' says Li, who toured with fellow people's theatre practitioners around rural Korean villages last month. 'These masks all look different, but most of them symbolise grassroots characters.'

People's Theatre Festival Society artistic director Augustine Mok Chiu-yu says issues tackled during performances often relate to conditions migrant workers face today, as well as socio-economical problems and the environment.

At next week's workshops, participants will be able to see how improvisational theatre 'grasps the reality of people's life', Mok says.

'I took part in a Korean people's theatre workshop back in 1990 and those who took part then have since built up a network in the region,' he says. 'We need new people to keep this network going. It's important for people in this region to continue to find a channel, and use their own methodology, to express themselves and voice their opinions.'

Performances at the Cattle Depot will consist of eight mainly non-verbal solos related to the effect globalisation has on people.

The workshops will be divided into four parts, including mask-making and mask-dancing, developing ideas and basic body relaxation.

'[The festival] is an extension of the work we did in Korea in July,' Li says. 'Similar activities will be organised in other Asian cities in the future.'

All workshops will be conducted in English.

Loft Stage, 8/F Wah Mow Factory Bldg, 202-204 Choi Hung Rd, San Po Kong, Kowloon, $600. Inquiries: 2582 0229, 9800 7169