MDX playwright runs drama workshops for women prisoners

Inmates develop confidence and self-expression in acting and singing classes based on the story of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry

Academics from Middlesex University have run drama workshops at a women’s prison to help inmates build their confidence, self-expression and creativity while celebrating the story of Victorian prison reformer Elizabeth Fry.

Dr James Kenworth, Senior Lecturer in Media Narrative at Middlesex University and a playwright and a scriptwriter, has run four workshops based on his play Elizabeth Fry: Angel of Prisons at HMP Downview in Banstead, Surrey. He hopes the University’s partnership with the prison will continue to encourage creativity and confidence building among the inmates.

Dr Kenworth has written a series called The Newham Plays which have been inspired by the history, culture and significant historical figures of the Newham area of London.

His latest play tells the story of Fry who was a humanitarian and an influential campaigner for improvements in prisons, especially in the treatment of female inmates, in 19^th century Britain.

A film adaptation of Angel of Prisons was shown to inmates at Downview last year with the support of prison reform charity, the Howard League for Penal Reform. Following the screening’s success, Dr Kenworth decided to run a series of drama workshops for inmates to introduce them to Fry’s campaigning work and to provide an opportunity to develop their confidence and other skills. He was supported in delivering the workshops by Dr James Martin Charlton, Interim Academic Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries at Middlesex University, and Nayomi Roshini, Senior Graduate Academic Assistant.

Dr Kenworth said: “The opportunity to run drama workshops at HMP Downview based on themes and issues arising from my play about Elizabeth Fry was an eye-opening and enlightening experience.

“We discovered there is so much creative talent among the inmates and it was undeniable that the women found the workshops stimulating and enriching. It was a joy to watch some of the acting and improvisation and one woman stunned us into silence by the quality of her singing voice.

“Staff told us that the prisoners ‘absolutely loved it’, and some of the women asked about pursuing a career in acting.”

Dr Kenworth said he hoped to continue the University’s partnership with HMP Downview and explore the possibility of the women putting on a performance of Angel of Prisons to fellow inmates.

This is the fifth instalment of The Newham Plays, a series rooted in the history, culture and people of Newham. Elizabeth Fry lived in East Ham, Newham, and campaigned for improvements at the former Newgate Prison in the City of London. The first play, When Chaplin Met Gandhi, is based on a true encounter between the actor and the Indian independence leader in Canning Town while other plays focus on Labour Party founder Keir Hardie and Alice from Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland.

The plays have been shown in a range of venues in the local area from Newham City Farm to Arc In The Park adventure playground, as well as Downview Prison.

“Newham is the place that keeps on giving in terms of amazing stories,” said Dr Kenworth. “The area has a rich history and has produced some significant political and cultural figures. I am especially keen on site-specific theatre and putting on my plays in the local community to make them more accessible and show them in the locations which inspired them.”

Dr Kenworth’s next play in the series will be about Madge Gill, a self-taught artist from a working-class background who lived much of her life in Newham and East London, and who battled mental health issues.