AN insight into the way lies are told is a surprise hit of one of the region's premier arts festivals.

Actors, dancers, musicians and digital artists have created the interactive display, called Fib, which is showing as part of Stockton International Riverside Festival.

Visitors enter the display at the town's Castlegate Centre and are presented with a collection of 14 doors.

They are invited to choose a door, behind which they find a small room where there are interactive displays.

In one, an actor tells stories and holds a conversation and only tells the truth. In another, visitors are asked to explain why they sometimes tell lies, and their image is beamed to the person in the next room. After three minutes, visitors try another door.

"We researched the project for months," said actress Esther Simpson, of the Leicester theatre company Metro-Boulot-Dodo which created the display.

"One day we would have to tell nothing but the truth and another we could tell only lies. Telling the truth was much harder. It makes you quite boring as well.

"We've been getting a great response all around the country and Stockton is fantastic."

The Fib display, which is free and open for performances at various times through the day, continues until Sunday. Only 14 people can take part at any one time. To guarantee a place, book at The Arc theatre, Stockton.

Published: 30/07/2004