“I’ve seen how ground-breaking arts programmes give hardened inmates a voice and a belief in the power of redemption…The Citizen was just one project, in one small prison. But it felt like a beacon of hope.”
Libby Purves, The Times.
A new series of audio plays written by the residents at HMP Warren Hill
In a comical re-working of the Witchfinder story, Matthew Hopkins gets more than he’s bargained for
Matthew Hopkins receives a letter from his brother, a puritan settler in New England, which inspires him to embark on a new career as the Witchfinder General
We work with a group of prisoners serving whole-life orders on drama and heritage projects as part of HMP Warren Hill’s ground-breaking education and rehabilitation programme. The work they create is remarkable, exploring the complexities of redemption and draws parallels between their own experiences and stories from the past.
Throughout lockdown, we have continued to communicate and support residents, sending them packs with resources and creative writing activities based around the 17th Century witch trials and the self-proclaimed ‘Witchfinder General’ Matthew Hopkins. In response, the residents wrote two incredible scripts which we have produced professionally as audio dramas.
This work is part of our community heritage project funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, exploring our local heritage of the 17th Century witch trials, including the Chainers Youth Theatre’s production of THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
Lawrence is an Actor/Writer and Co-Producer of Sitcom competition: Sitcom Mission. As a result of the early support of Red Rose Chain, he is also Artistic Director of Happy Idiot Productions (Not: Lady Chatterly’s Lover). Lawrence is a firm favourite on stage at Theatre in the Forest and The Avenue, with much loved performances ranging from Richard III and the Mad Hatter!
Lawrence is an associate artist at Red Rose Chain
Fizz began her acting training as part of the Red Rose Chain youth theatre, having grown up in Ipswich. She has participated in countless performances with the Red Rose Chain as a young person and a professional actor, including three Theatre in the Forest productions, as well as participating as a workshop leader for multiple groups. Fizz has performed in national theatre tours, as well as in Camden and Brighton theatre festivals.
Fizz is an associate artist at Red Rose Chain
Get all the latest updates on shows, events, community projects, ways to support us and how to get involved!
