What was it?
Our 2019 MAGNIFY project, over the course of four weeks under the guidance of a professional theatre director, writer and actor, thirteen men from HMP Springhill devised and wrote the original pantomime Rio’s Extraordinary Christmas. The project was in collaboration with The Irene Taylor Trust who worked with four men to produce five original music tracks for the show, which were performed as a live band during performances.
All men were released from their normal duties for the length of the project but continued to be paid to work on the production.
Rio’s Extraordinary Christmas was performed to audiences of over 300 staff, residents, family, friends and outside guests over five performances in HMP Springhill’s Association Room which had been transformed for the occasion into a magical space. The music was recorded on to CD for all the participants.
The set in the Assocation Room
Listen to some of the songs
Cast Feedback
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I never understood what it means to put something like this together. To take the improvisation and ideas and then write a script from it. I loved that my ideas were included and I was happy that was going to play the parts I’d created. But then because of circumstances I was asked to be a much larger part, Buddy the Elf. You said you believed in me. That gave me confidence and then you gave me all the direction with building the character and movements that I needed to make sure it all worked out. Then set and costume came in and then the music was added. I had no idea before of this process. Thank you for inviting me into your world.
Andy
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Thanks for bringing me out of my shell. I realise now why we had to play those silly games at the beginning of the project. They helped us feel OK around each other and instilled confidence. Thank you for having confidence in me.
Seb
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I can honestly say I have had so much fun. It will be sad going back to normal life.
Endurance
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I’d never have done anything like this before but you have taken me on an amazing journey. I’m the old guy in the group but everyone accepted me into it. I’m not an extrovert but you have supported me with patience and always with a smile.
Stephen