4 August 2006


MAGHABERRY PLAYS HOST TO AMERICAN THEATRE STUDENTS


Maghaberry Prison is the unlikely setting for forty post graduate theatre in education students from New York University to visit, but that is exactly where they are today. The purpose of the trip is for the arts group to witness first hand the creative and ground breaking work of the Educational Shakespeare Company (ESC), who have worked in conjunction with prisoners and the Prison Service to produce two award winning productions.

Austin Treacy, Deputy Governor of Maghaberry Prison, welcoming their transatlantic visitors said:

“We are delighted today to deliver the first reading of “Macbeth in Longabbey”, a modern version of Shakespeare’s infamous Scottish play, written by a former prisoner in Maghaberry. Also tomorrow, the ESC are showcasing the excellent work of both prisoners and staff who have worked collaboratively and diligently to produce two excellent documentaries.

“One of these is “The Big Question”, which poignantly portrays the effect of imprisonment on prisoners and their families. while the other, “Inside Job” is a drama scripted and acted by prisoners about a bank heist.”

“This is a great opportunity for Maghaberry Prison to show our theatre colleagues from New York University, who are visiting Belfast for three days, the quality of work that can be produced within a prison environment and demonstrate to an international audience the quality work which the prison is undertaking with prisoners as part of their resettlement programme.


Notes to Editors
The Educational Shakespeare Company raison d’etre is to actively encourage and nurture creativity in a variety of mediums. The two main figures are Tom Magill, who is the Drama, Training and Development Officer and Simon Wood, Northern Vision’s Project Director.


109-113 Royal Avenue
Belfast BT1 1FF
Northern Ireland
Phone +44(0)28 9080 9933
admin@escapeintocreativity.org


New York University Theatre Students to Visit Belfast for Three Day Film/Drama Series

Belfast – 27 July 2006 -- On Friday 4th August forty post graduate theatre in education students from New York University are visiting Belfast for the first time to see the work of the Belfast-based Educational Shakespeare Company Ltd. (ESC).
ESC is committed to working with people to transform their futures through recording their stories as documentary and drama.

The students’ first stop on Friday will be Maghaberry Prison, where they will hear the first reading of Macbeth in Longabbey, a modern version of Macbeth written by a former Maghaberry inmate and set in a fictional prison that takes its name from Long Kesh and Maghaberry. The day will end with a visit to the Linen Hall Library to see “ The final Words of Thomas Russell” who was executed at Downpatrick Gaol in 1803.

On Saturday from 10 am 6 pm, ESC will exhibit and discuss a showcase of their film work in the Managed Workspace at 109-113 Royal Avenue. These films include:

Two Sides of the Coin – a 47 minute documentary that tells the untold story of the tragic effects of prison service life before, during and after the Troubles on prison officers and their families. This film will be introduced by the Chief Executive Officer of the Prison Service Trust and a retired prison officer.

The Biq Question – a 28 minute documentary about the effect of imprisonment on prisoners’ families as told by Maghaberry prisoners and their families. This film will be introduced by two former prisoners.

Inside Job – a 12 minute drama about a prison bank heist scripted and acted by prisoners in Maghaberry. This film will be introduced by two ex-prisoners. .

Gatecrashed - A 12 minute film exploring the stark realities of life in a youth homeless hostel, including bullying and theft. This film will be introduced by current residents from the hostel.

Exploring Conflict Resolution through the Performing Arts - a series of films made over the last three years with a cross community group of young people from Loyalist Shankill and Republican New Lodge areas of North Belfast. These films will be introduced by the young people involved.

After a trip on Saturday night to the West Belfast Festival and a tour of Republican West Belfast, Sunday starts with a “Not For Tourists” tour of Loyalist North and West Belfast and a trip to the Shankill and Tiger’s Bay murals. Former prisoners involved in the conflict will lead each tour from both sides of the community.

Phone: 02890 809933
Contact: Tom Magill Email tom_magill@yahoo.com
Mobile 078 5522 6946

A charity registered with Inland Revenue. Number XR40787. Company limited by guarantee. NI36267
Patrons - Michael Bogdanov, Augusto Boal & Win Wenger

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