Inside

12 Nov 2010 - 27 Nov 2010

Written by Philip Osment
Directed by Jim Pope and Philip Osment

Watch a short video promo here

Read an indepth interview with writer Philip Osment in the Hampstead & Highgate Express here.

'Its impact on the audience was startling and, for me, it was a most convincing theatrical representation of life in prison' Sir Ian McKellen

'A compelling group portrait of seven frustrated – not to mention frustrating – young men in prison... as they try to settle to the daily group task of exploring what fatherhood means to them' Evening Standard ****

‘And then when it was time to leave I never understood why you weren't coming with us. And the men in suits would rattle their chains and take you away. I hated going there. I hated you for being there.’

Looking for relief from boredom and a chance to get off the wing, seven young fathers in prison sign-up for an education programme. They try to use the workshops to settle scores and to rise up the prison pecking order. But they’re confronted with more than they’d bargained for, as they face up to their relationships with their children and their own fathers. Self-deceptions, vulnerabilities, and failed hopes and dreams are revealed, unleashing anger and violence that the workshop leaders struggle to contain.

Researched in Rochester Prison with a young fathers group, the pilot project was devised at the National Youth Theatre in 2008 and was presented as Fathers Inside at Cookham Wood Young Offenders Institute and at the Soho Theatre to critical acclaim.

Playing On is far more than just a theatre company. Founded by Jim Pope and Philip Osment in 2010 to create new theatre of the highest professional standard through work with disenfranchised young people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances to tell the stories of those who are seldom heard.

There will be short Q&As with the cast and directors after the shows on the following dates:

Thu 18 November, 8pm
Tue 23 November, 8pm
Thu 25 November, 8pm

Suitable for ages 12+

Fri 12 – Sat 27 November, 8pm
Fri 26, 2pm
Sat 20 & Sat 27, 4pm 

Running time 80 mins

Tickets: £10
£8 concessions
£5 for ages 25 and under

Read an indepth article with interviews from Inside's director Jim Pope and actor Segun Olaiya here