Synergy Theatre Project presents
CONVICTIONS
New plays written in prison and afterwards
Soho Theatre Studio
9-21 May 2011
Press Nights 10 & 17 May at 7 pm

After eleven years of working with prisoners and ex-prisoners to produce shows in prisons and in theatres, deliver wide ranging educational projects for young people and develop playwriting skills,  Synergy Theatre Project is presenting its first festival of new plays written in prison and afterwards. The two week season at the Soho Theatre Studio includes two full productions and three readings.

EVERY COIN by Carlon Campbell Robinson (9- 14 May) is directed by Esther Baker with its press night on 10 May at 7 pm. Carlon is writing about a world he knows very well. As a serving prisoner, he has observed the changing gang culture and the rise of a recent phenomenon – the Muslim gang within prison. In EVERY COIN Mark, a Category A prisoner, is transferred to a new prison where he meets old friends and enemies and has to decide whether to sacrifice his reputation or his religious conviction to survive.

THE ARCHBISHOP AND THE ANTICHRIST by Michael Ashton (16- 21 May) is directed by Lucy Kerbel and has its press night on 17 May at 7 pm. Michael is now out of prison but began playwriting by taking part in one of Synergy’s courses while serving a sentence.  Michael previously lived in South Africa and was inspired by the real events surrounding the TRC hearings chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to write an imagined encounter with an Afrikaans mass murderer awaiting execution in a South African gaol. This powerful play explores the limits of forgiveness in a country facing the imperfect process of truth and reconciliation in the wake of terrible crimes.

Three play readings include:
THE GROWHOUSE by Luke Sawyer: 11 May at 3 pm
FORGIVE ME FATHER by J. Mason plus shorts by young offenders at HMP Littlehey: 13 May at 3 pm
HEROES OF THE SOVIET REPUBLIC by Matthew Williams: 20 May at 3 pm

Post Show Talks will take place on 12 and 19 May.

Esther Baker is co-founder and Artistic Director of Synergy Theatre Project. Recent credits as director include JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN by Stephen Adly Guirgis (Trafalgar Studios 2010); THE LONG ROAD by Shelagh Stephenson (Soho Theatre 2008); FALLOUT and ELMINA’S KITCHEN (HMP Brixton); ON THE WATERFRONT (Wimbledon Studio Theatre); BURN and SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (Southwark Playhouse).

Lucy Kerbel’s directing work includes INVASION! (Soho Theatre/Company of Angels); I CAUGHT CRABS IN WALBERSWICK (Eastern Angles/High Tide/The Bush); I AM A SUPERHERO (Theatre 503); THE TEMPEST (Sprite/York Theatre Royal); LION AND UNICORN (Eastern Angles); ROMEO AND JULIET, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, TWELFTH NIGHT (Sprite) and IS EVERYTHING OK? (Nabokov).

Carlon Campbell Robinson thanked Synergy for giving him hope: “I’ve been a criminal all my life but through theatre and working with Synergy I have found the will to change.”

Michael Ashton also said recently: “I can blame nobody but myself for ending up in prison but a person needs help to break the cycle of crime and irresponsible attitudes. Synergy, in short, saved my life.”

Further information and reviewing tickets from:
Anne Mayer
020 7254 7391 or 07764 192842
annemayer@btopenworld.com

LONDON LISTINGS INFORMATION

CONVICTIONS
9-21 May 2011
Every Coin by Carlon Campbell Robinson
Directed by Esther Baker
9, 11-14 May 2011 at 7.45 pm
Press Night 10 May at 7 pm

The Archbishop and the Antichrist by Michael Ashton
Directed by Lucy Kerbel
16, 18-21 May at 7.45 pm
Press Night 17 May at 7 pm

The Growhouse by Luke Sawyer
11 May at 3 pm
Forgive me Father by J. Mason plus shorts by young offenders
13 May at 3 pm
Heroes of the Soviet Republic by Matthew Williams
20 May at 3 pm

Soho Theatre Studio
21 Dean Street
London W1D 3NE

Box Office
020 7478 0100
Online www.sohotheatre.com

Tickets
Productions
Mon-Weds £10
Thurs-Sat £12.50
Concessions £1 off Weds-Sat

Rehearsed Readings
£3 (concessions free)
Or free with every ticket to one of the productions