Kestrel’s inaugural pantomime project. Over five weeks, fifteen men from HMP Springhill devised an original pantomime. The men gave five performances to over 300 residents, staff, family and friends.
This was our first collaboration with the Irene Taylor Trust who worked with the men to compose original music and songs for the show. Staff and residents from HMP Springhill helped transform their Association Room into a magical setting with a starry night sky.
The project was led by a team of industry professionals including: Marcus Clarke, a professional puppeteer (The Muppets, Little Shop of Horrors, Who Framed Roger Rabbit) and Divya Obson and Ros Claire, set and costume designers.
Jack the Lad in the Beanstalk was directed by Holly Race Roughan (Shakespeare’s Globe, Guggenheim New York, Southwark Playhouse)
I’ve enjoyed it more than any of you can know. I’ve done something I never thought possible – bought something to life that we wrote ourselves for our families, especially as I know how difficult life can be for them. In this pit of despair that is prison, this project has been a beam of sunshine in all our lives. I’ve loved being able to give people a breathe of fresh air. Everyone is special and talented in their own way and this project has shown us that.
Connell, Performer
Theatre and films from Kestrel.