0:00:04 > 0:00:06Here they come -
0:00:06 > 0:00:08my two intrepid explorers.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Charlotte and Lokesh.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15I'm their Great Aunt Lizzie, you see,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18and I wonder which one is coming to see me today.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Off you go.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Ah, so it's Lokesh.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Hello, Great Aunt Lizzie.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25Hello, Lokesh.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Once upon a time,
0:00:35 > 0:00:40I travelled the world discovering treasures from long ago and far away
0:00:40 > 0:00:43and no end of stories to remind me.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48But my most precious possession of all
0:00:48 > 0:00:52is my extraordinary collection of teacups.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Here we are.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10No time to count the clouds.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Let's have a nice cup of tea and a story.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15But first we need the teacup.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17But which one?
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- That one.- Ah!
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Comedy Mask.
0:01:35 > 0:01:36Is it funny, then?
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Well, it's used for something funny.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41A comedy show in the theatre a long, long time ago.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Is it a story about a play, then?
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Not really.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It's about the man who made these masks.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Very much admired, someone who worked in the theatre.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55I've got to make a mask.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59And I've got some colouring pens.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06So, are we ready?
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Ready.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13Then let me tell you the story of Lokesh And The Great Comedy Mask.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Our story begins in Ancient Greece,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22in the vibrant city of Athens.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25With its dry, dusty streets,
0:02:25 > 0:02:26tall marble columns
0:02:26 > 0:02:28and monumental buildings
0:02:28 > 0:02:32all resplendent under an azure blue sky.
0:02:51 > 0:02:52It was in one of these narrow streets
0:02:52 > 0:02:56that Lokesh found himself one bright sunny morning.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03And as he passed a row of little shops,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06he saw a man making something in his workshop.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13There, Gregorius, your nose is perfect.
0:03:13 > 0:03:14But who was he talking to?
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Just perfect.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Lokesh crept forward to investigate.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- LOKESH GASPS - Oh!
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Sorry.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24You made me jump.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I just wondered who you were talking to.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30I was talking to the great actor Gregorius.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Well, his mask, actually.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36This is the great Gregorius's comedy mask.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Lokesh looked closely at the terracotta comedy mask.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44With its round, surprised eyes, it seemed to be laughing.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47It's very lovely, but it must be very heavy.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49What's it for?
0:03:49 > 0:03:51It's a gift I made to honour my hero.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53And you made it?
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Yes, I am Alexis, the mask maker.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59I usually make masks out of linen, for the actors to use on stage.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01But this one is special.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03I made it from terracotta to last forever.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07A lasting tribute to the great comedy actor.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08Gregorius?
0:04:08 > 0:04:10I've never seen him perform.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11Oh!
0:04:11 > 0:04:13He is wonderful.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17But I'd better get on.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21I've got a million masks to make before Dionysia festival tonight.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23To be honest, I should have made them days ago.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27I just couldn't resist finishing this special mask first.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I am sure Gregorius will really like it.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32I was hoping to deliver it to him myself
0:04:32 > 0:04:35before he performs in his new play tonight,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39but I have spent so much time making that mask that...
0:04:39 > 0:04:42I'd better just finish the linen ones first, before it's too late.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44I could take it for you.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Would you?
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Oh, it is not far.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50The theatre is very close.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Just central Athens.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53Oh!
0:04:57 > 0:05:00But, please, make sure he gets it.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03And I want him to know how much I admire him.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05Tell him,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09"Alexis sends his love
0:05:09 > 0:05:11"and, er,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13"greatest admiration."
0:05:13 > 0:05:15I will.
0:05:18 > 0:05:19Bye.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Lokesh went as quickly as he could to the theatre...
0:05:26 > 0:05:28..where he found a young woman called Phaedra
0:05:28 > 0:05:30noisily sorting out costumes.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Excuse me?- Yes?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37I'm looking for the great Gregorius.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38Oh, he's not here yet.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40But he's coming?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Yes, but, not until later on.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- He's still on tour at a theatre in the hills.- Oh.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48I've got something I need to give him.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Well, you could leave it somewhere around here if you want to.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53That way he'll get it when he arrives.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54What was Lokesh to do?
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Should he risk leaving the mask at the theatre,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00or should he head for the hills
0:06:00 > 0:06:03and deliver the mask to Gregorius himself?
0:06:03 > 0:06:05It was only just after lunch
0:06:05 > 0:06:08and already the plot had got so complicated.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Nice colouring, Lokesh.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17You're going to use that in the school play?
0:06:17 > 0:06:18I hope so.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21You know in the story, Great Aunt Lizzie,
0:06:21 > 0:06:23do you think Lokesh will just leave the mask
0:06:23 > 0:06:25at the theatre for Gregorius?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27He might, but Phaedra would pass it on.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Unless she forgot and packed it away with everything else.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33She might forget, I suppose.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36And Alexis had spent so many hours making it.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38It was very special.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Would you like some elastic for that mask, Lokesh?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Let me have a look.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46And he did ask Lokesh to make sure
0:06:46 > 0:06:48he got the mask to Gregorius himself.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50He did.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51Here we are.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53The very best stretchy elastic.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56That's got me out of many a scrape, I can tell you.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57Thank you.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00There wasn't much choice for Lokesh, really, was there?
0:07:00 > 0:07:03He couldn't give up without making sure Gregorius got his special mask,
0:07:03 > 0:07:04now, could he?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17So off went Lokesh in his hat, bag and boots.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Marching through the olive groves.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28And up the dusty mountains.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Until when he was almost out of breath...
0:07:41 > 0:07:43..the path ran out.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49There was only one way to get to the other side.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Lokesh took a deep breath.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Finally, Lokesh came to a ridge.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40And there before him was a small theatre nestling in the hills.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45But there was no time to look in wonder.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Lokesh had to deliver that mask.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Before long, he stood on the stage
0:08:53 > 0:08:57with a huge auditorium stretching up in front of him.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00And he imagined what it would be like to be an actor,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03performing for the crowds.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Until...
0:09:05 > 0:09:06Hello, my dear.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Hello.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Would you like to perform somewhere like this?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12It must be amazing.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14My husband says it's one of the best.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- Is your husband an actor?- Yes.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Then he might be able to help me.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20He might know the great Gregorius.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22I think I can go one better than that, darling.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24My husband IS the great Gregorius.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26That's fantastic!
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Could you tell him I want to see him, please?
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Oh, no, I'm afraid I can't - he's resting.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33He needs to save his voice and energy for tonight.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36This evening he appears on stage in Athens.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38What was Lokesh to do?
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Perhaps if she saw the terracotta mask...
0:09:42 > 0:09:44But I've come all the way from Athens
0:09:44 > 0:09:47with a gift for him from Alexis, the mask maker.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50He saw your husband in a comedy play last year
0:09:50 > 0:09:51and has admired him ever since.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Oh, I see.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55He spent many hours making this special mask
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and sends it with love and admiration.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Oh, it's beautiful.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Please could I give it to him?
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Alexis was insistent I gave it to the great man himself.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09I tell you what, why don't you come with me
0:10:09 > 0:10:12and we'll see if we can go in and leave it by his bed?
0:10:12 > 0:10:18Lokesh and Oitane crept in as quietly as they could
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and put the mask on the pillow beside him.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23GREGORIUS SNORES
0:10:45 > 0:10:47(I hope he likes it.)
0:10:47 > 0:10:50(I'm sure he will. Thank you for bringing it.)
0:10:50 > 0:10:51That's OK.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- Bye.- Bye!
0:10:57 > 0:10:59GREGORIUS SNORES
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Back came Lokesh,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08down the dusty mountains.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11And through the olive groves.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28I delivered the comedy mask to Gregorius.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31You did? Oh, thank you.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Did he like it?
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Well, he was asleep, so I left it on his bed.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38He'll see it as soon as he wakes up.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42I hope he does. Gregorius is my hero.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43You called?
0:11:43 > 0:11:45HE LAUGHS
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Did somebody say my name?
0:11:47 > 0:11:48Gregorius!
0:11:48 > 0:11:52I just wanted to thank you myself for this beautiful mask
0:11:52 > 0:11:56which I found on my bed when I awoke from my sleep.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58It is my pleasure, Gregorius.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59By way of thanks,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03I should like to escort you both to the theatre
0:12:03 > 0:12:07and give you two VIP tickets for the comedy play tonight.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09BOTH: Yes, please!
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Then let us go. The theatre awaits.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15May I?
0:12:17 > 0:12:19And that was that.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20The whole three acts.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23The story of Lokesh And The Comedy Mask.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25And we still use masks now.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28We do - for school plays.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30And sometimes at parties.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32And carnivals all over the world.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36I think Gregorius really liked his mask, didn't he?
0:12:36 > 0:12:37He did.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40He had something to always remind him how admired he was as an actor.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43I hope people will admire me as a rabbit.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44I'm sure they will, Lokesh.
0:12:46 > 0:12:47Oh, my goodness me, is that the time?
0:12:47 > 0:12:49We'd better get a move on.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Get you ready for going home.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Now, how did that get there?
0:13:01 > 0:13:02Home time now, Lokesh.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Thanks, Great Aunt Lizzie.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11Cheery bye, Lokesh.