What was it?

This was a bespoke project where four Kestrel alumni worked with the writer Simon Longman to create fictional stories that looked at the experiences of finishing a prison sentence and the problems and possibilities of finding yourself in a new life.

It was conceived after the success of our Signal Fires piece and again the collective piece was called AFTER TIME. This was performed with live music to an audience of over 200 people via Zoom.

This project kickstarted a wider organisational and artistic focus on life after a prison sentence, as seen in some of our film work.

Credits

KESTREL COMPANY
Writer: Simon Longman
Director: Eleanor Henderson
Co-Director:  Jason York
Producer: Arabella Warner

CAST
Terry Ellis (Blood and Water)
Ricardo Thomas: (Broken Dreams 1 and Signal Fires)
Brian Murphy: (Broken Dreams 1)
Pank Sethi: (Waiting)

MUSICIANS
Arun Blair-Mangat
Kevin Cahill
Christina Tedders
Emma Warner with William Gardner

An edited excerpt of some of the readings.

Cast Feedback

‘I always feel like I’m with family when I work with Kestrel and this time was no different. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.’

— Pank Sethi, performer

‘Thank you for letting me be a part of Kestrel. It really is a life changing organisation’


— Ricardo, performer

‘Working with Kestrel has been instrumental in giving me the confidence to believe in myself and my ability to aim higher then I ever dreamt possible.  A light that as been ignited by being part of something so phenomenally inspiring.’

— Terry, performer

‘Getting involved with Kestrel is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I never dreamt that I would perform live on stage or on Zoom in brilliantly written and produced productions considering where I was up until very recently. It has totally helped me with confidence and my way of thinking about life and I know I am not the only one. A brilliant charity that actually produces results.’

— Brian, performer

What The Audience Said

‘Congratulations on such a compelling performance last evening. It was moving and inspiring at the same time. The exploration of post prison experience is so much less than the amount devoted to being locked up. ‘Watching time turn into memories’ was a phrase that really struck me. Each of them described in such forensic detail the anxiety that they carry with them always, and is so ignored by the justice system.  Bravo!’

— Audience

‘So important to hear these stories.  Thank you to those whose stories these were based on.  Thank you for helping us understand and having the courage to share. Beautifully and sensitively put together.

— Audience

‘Wonderful stuff.   Moving, specific, and powerful.’

— Audience

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Drama Club at HMP Springhill
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Signal Fires