During our European tour, we had the opportunity to exchange with theatre companies that work in prisons, and also we were invited to present our work in performing arts schools which have courses or subjects on community theatre:

-In Holland, we gave a workshop for theatre in education students at the Utrecht School of the Arts (as part of their community theatre subject). We focussed the workshop on the three concepts that underline our work: the “why?”, group work and ethics. Thanks to Jet Vos and Eugene van Erven.

-In Alicante, Spain we presented a conference about theatre and diversity (photo above), organised by Locos por el Teatro theatre company. This was a first step towards our two day workshop in Liège, Belgium for people with psychiatric difficulties (see previous post).

-In the Lombardia Edge Festival in Milan, Italy we saw artistic workshops in two prisons, and had very stimulating conversations with theatre workers who run programs in prisons Ireland, Denmark and Northern Ireland.

-In the United Kingdom, in London, Cambridge, Manchester and Birmingham (see Links page) we talked with theatre companies that have worked for many years in prisons, with young people at risk and in general with the theme of violence in society. In Cambridge we saw the staging of The City Wakes, a large community music event supporting arts in mental health. Thanks to TiPP, Geese, Escape Artists and the Ann Peaker Centre.

-In Liverpool, we presented a short conference about our theatre work in prisons to students of the Community Drama course at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts LIPA, the only full time course of its kind in Europe.

Our thanks to all the people who received us in their houses: Eugene, Ria, Fore, Lurdes, Sophie, Matthew, Simon and Alberto and family. Thanks to Donatella Massimilla and her co-workers in Milan for their generosity and translations. Thanks to Charlie Adams and Matt Smith for getting us to Liverpool.