Stand or Fall (2008)
by Brian Woolland



Teaming up for an Inside Story
Hampshire Chronicle April 2008

The hard work of students and prisoners came to fruition this week as they took to the stage to perform a play. Inmates at HMP Winchester have been working with the drama students from the University of Winchester to put on the performance in the prison this week. The Prison Theatre Project production of Stand or Fall is a historical drama tracing the lives of two men who are close relatives, separated by 100 years.
 One character, Kevin McGuire, discovers a fascinating tale about his great – grandfather, a railway navvy, while researching his family history. Project manager, Annie McKean, said the idea was to build “transferable skills” that prisoners could take with them, such as teamwork. They had all been very committed to the project. She said: “It’s very much about making sure they achieve the highest possible standard of performance. They worked really hard.”
 One prisoner, Paddy Flynn, said: “I got press- ganged into it a bit, but I’m glad, because I have never done anything like this before. I’ve had a great time with everyone. It shows what you can do.” Funding for the project came from a £10,444 Arts Council grant, the prison and the university. A group of 14 drama students took part, helping the prisoners with line learning, presentation and performance skills.
One student, Carlie Higton, said: “Everything about it has been amazing, mainly seeing the guys and how confident they have become. “They have just grown so much, it’s such a good feeling, they have done it and done well”. The Open College Network is accrediting the project and director, Brian Woolland, said only two of the prisoners involved had taken to the stage before. He said of the two groups: “They have really complemented each other, because the guys have a lot of life experience and, in most cases, very little education, and the students have the opposite.

Oh What A Lovely War (2006)
by Joan Littlewood



Drama Review
by John Bowers
Inside Times June 2006 

Set during the first World War, Joan Littlewood’s ‘Oh What a Lovely War’ further reinforces the absolute futility and obscene nature of war and left one wondering why, in the intervening 92 years, we appear to have learned so little when it comes to witnessing mass slaughter of the innocent….Over the years , Inside Time has been instrumental in bringing to our readers’ attention numerous prison-based theatre production and a common denominator has been the tremendous enthusiasm and sheer exuberance displayed by cast members, notwithstanding some remarkably good acting performances from men and women who mostly had never faced an audience…other than across the floor of a courtroom!  This collaboration between prisoners from HMP Winchester and undergraduate students from the University of Winchester lived up to every expectation, and more. It was brimming with unbridled  enthusiasm from start to finish and even the initial apprehension displayed by cast members, wary on this particular occasion of performing in front of their peers ( they also put on three performances to members of the public which I was reliably informed by Director Martin Constantine were ‘ electric….pacy and highly charged emotionally’) was swiftly replaced my confidence and determination to put on a good show- with audience reaction moving from mild bewilderment to bursts of well deserved, enthusiastic applause and a definite sense of respect from fellow inmates; born of knowing just how much ‘ bottle’ it takes to perform on stage. …..Producer and project manager Annie Mckean was full of praise for the prisoners’ efforts and said: “For men who had never acted before they adapted remarkably well in terms of confidence boosting, this experience has done them an enormous amount of good”. A theme swiftly reinforced by prisoner Tyron Smith, who said: “It has been a terrific learning experience in many ways. Apart from school, it’s the first time I’ve ever acted. It’s been such a boost to my confidence and meeting such really nice people. It’s hard to put into words what this has done for me- the whole experience was a total buzz and I feel much more comfortable now in a social environment”.
It is always good to see something so positive happening in prisons that encourages prisoners who participate and provides the confidence to stand upright and maintain good eye contact. Carry this forward to release and they could be on their way to getting through the early stages of resettlement, being successful with job interviews and finding worthwhile employment.

Theatre brings Students and prisoners together

It could have been a busy last minute rehearsal in any drama group. However, for 15 of the cast, there would be no drink at the pub to wind down afterwards- but a return to their cells. The Playing for Time Theatre Company, made up of 14 female undergraduate students from the University of Winchester and men from West Hill HMP Winchester were preparing for four performances of Oh, What lovely War. This was the third production n association with the prison by university lecturer Annie McKean- and the most to ambitious on yet.
“It is an ensemble piece and everyone had to sing, dance and act taking on many different roles- each with a change of costume” said Annie. “The students, taking arts degrees, have experienced theatre but for all the prisoners this was completely new challenge”. Each student understudied and mentored one of the male cast. Some lacked confidence with literacy and needed help with lines. Others had to overcome prejudice about learning to dance and speaking in public. They had volunteered and there were no auditions- anyone who wanted to be involved as part of the education programme was accepted. “Some of the men amazed us wit their natural talent: others needed a lot of help to concentrate but they all brought enthusiasm,” said Annie. Jason, who was looking forward to release a week after the final curtain, had 11 characters to master, from the Kaiser to an American arms dealer and an Irish sergeant- all with authentic accents. “When I went back to my cell, I had to pinch myself that I was really doing this,” he said. “I hadn’t even taken drama at a school but I am definitely going to get some professional training at a college when I get out. I have never had much praise for anything I have done, but Annie and the others seem to think I was really good. The eight week rehearsal period was beautiful.”
Debbie Hickman appeared in last year’s show, Our Country’s Good, which is aptly about a performance by convicts in 1789 in Australia of The Recruiting Officer. For her final dissertation, she is researching the student experience of prison theatre. “Both this year and last completely changed everyone who took part,” she explained. “Aged only 19 or 20, we had lived fairly sheltered lives. Now we faced another reality. We saw the complexities of the prisoners’ problems – most were recidivists- and the difficulties of putting on a production in the prison environment.”
The girls had to maintain strictly objective and professional relationships boundaries with the men. “This has been excellent preparation for their lives in careers such as drama therapy,” said Rosa Martinez, who has been employed by the university to complete a project on the student experience. Last year, she looked at the impact taking part had had on the prisoners. “Being in the show, mentoring the prisoners and supporting them made huge demands on these young women.” Debbie commented that other studies had been put on hold as they rehearsed, but that there had been other benefits. “Working with Martin Constantine, the director, Mark Friend, the designer, and the lighting designer, Lou Birchall- all professional practitioners in theatre- has taught us about reaching the most exacting standards.”   
The prisoners, too, learned about the commitment they had to sustain to each other, the students and the show. They realised how much self discipline was needed to ensure that the whole team put on the best [possible show. They repeated marching and dance routines until they were perfect and rehearsed the bitter words to familiar songs so that the satirical message was put across powerfully to the audience.
Jason summed up the great joy he had derived from taking part. “It has given me a new dream and I am one hundred million per cent sure that I can make this one come true.”

Our Country’s Good (2005)
by Timberlake Wertenbaker



Students act with real convicts-ion
Daily Echo April 2005

Inmates of Winchester Prison have taken to the stage as part of a project with the City’s University. Eight prisoners will perform Our Country’s Good along with University College Winchester drama students in a series of shows for other prisoners and invited guests. The play is based on a true story about events in an Australian Penal colony in 1789 when a young Lieutenant decides to stage a play. Kerryn Davies, drama tutor, said putting on a play helped both prisoners and students learn from each other. “It changes the students’ views on what a prisoner is,” she said. “A lot of people can have very stereotypical views. By coming in and working with them they realise they are the same as everybody else. “It’s the same for the prisoners- they may have stereotypes about what students are like. When they are working together they are al treated equally and expectations of them are equal.” Inmate Paddy Bennett, 26, was approached by Kerryn to star in the play as a dour Scottish Officer. “Doing thus makes a difference, and it makes a nice change,” he said.

Refuge (2003)
by Dawn Garrigan

Prisoners, students share the limelight
Hampshire Chronicle February 7th 2003 

Students from King Alfred’s College, Winchester, are working with women prisoners on a theatre project that will culminate in a public performance in April. The joint venture with West Hill, the women’s annexe at the city jail in Romsey Road, is aiding prisoners’ rehabilitation. It is hoped that the project will encourage them to develop new skills which could aid their future employment prospects. The scheme is being supported by funding from the Learning and Skills council and it has benefited greatly from a partnership with Clean Break Theatre Company, based in London. Annie Mckean, senior lecturer in drama studies at the college and project manager explained: “ since the autumn we’ve been exploring the women’s experiences  of offending behaviour and the impact this has had on their lives. These stories will then be incorporated into a play which we hope will offer the audience an opportunity to debate issues concerning the place of women within the criminal justice system. “The students have gained a lot from working on the project. It has opened up their eyes to the natures of prison in our society and they’ve thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. We’ve also had the complete support of Mike Riley, the governor at West Hill, who acknowledges the usefulness of drama work in the context of education, reform and rehabilitation.” The production, to be performed in the week beginning Monday May 12th, marks a milestone for the women’s prison as it becomes a “ Democratic Therapeutic Community” in which inmates have a say in their own treatment programme.