This semester theatre students have been delivering drama workshops exploring issues surrounding resettlement as part of the Prison Project. Last week 3rd year CTP and Ipar students spent the day with Clean Break and female residents of HMP Askham Grange. Working with Director Lucy Morrison, Head of Prison Engagement Imogen Ashby and the actors in Clean Break’s latest play “Billy the Girl”. The day was spent developing the writer, Katie Hims script with the residents and using the women’s personal stories to illuminate and define the characters further.
“Clean Break was set up in 1979 by 2 women prisoners who believed that theatre could bring the hidden stories of imprisoned women to a wider audience. Still the only women’s theatre company of its kind today, Clean Break has remained true to these roots, continuing to inspire playwrights around the complex theme of women and crime. Integral to this, is the company’s long-established theatre based education and training programme enabling women offenders and those at risk of offending to develop personal, social, and professional and creative skills leading to education and employment”.
“Billy the Girl”will be playing at the Soho Theatre, London from 29.10.13 – 24.11.13 and then will be returning to HMP Askham Grange to be performed on a 2 day residency in December, with the prison doors opening for a final performance for an invited audience to launch the collaboration between YSJ, Clean Break and HMP Askham Grange.
“The magnificent Clean Break returns to the Soho Theatre following ‘This Wide Night’, ‘Charged’ and ‘Re-charged’, with this sharp yet gentle look at a fractured family dealing with a lifetime of mistrust”.
3rd Year London Theatre Trip – 3rd Year students interested in Clean Break’s work, should book tickets to see “Billy the Girl” on Tues 12th Nov at 7.15pm. A free performance of Stepping off the Edge of the World by Roz Wyllie, is to be performed at 6.30pm by Clean Break Graduates before Billy The Girl, followed with a free post show talk at 8.45pm (a panel conversation featuring past and present Clean Break writers).