Grange Park Opera

Pimlico Opera

Pimlico Opera and the prisoners of HMP Erlestoke, near Devizes present Les Misérables.

Friday 2 March 6.30pm SOLD OUT
Saturday 3 March 6pm SOLD OUT
Sunday 4 March 6pm
Friday 9 March 6.30pm FEW TICKETS
Saturday 10 March 6pm SOLD OUT
Sunday 11 March 6pm

Download a booking form

View synopsis and cast information

About the project

A truly excellent piece of musical theatre played before a paying public with a cast largely made up of prisoners is the big heart of this project. Taking place inside a prison the experience astonishes and inspires.

Pimlico Opera has been in prison for more than 20 years, unlocking talent, instilling confidence and showing all the participants that they really can think differently about themselves and their future. It shows prisoners that working towards a larger common good is uplifting and that hard work and discipline brings about great rewards.

The issues around prison affect us all. A recent survey by New Philanthropy Capital has shown that re-offending costs the taxpayer approximately £13.5 billion a year and that engaging prisoners actively in arts projects could as much as halve expected re-offending rates.

How the project works

There is a professional production team: the director, designer, lighting, stage managers, wardrobe mistress and more. Then there are 3 professional singers who take the largest roles. Some prisoners decide to be performers and others work alongside the technical staff backstage.

They all learn to work as team and support each other through the ups and downs of the challenge before them. Acting, singing, movement, timing - most of the prisoners have never been to the theatre, let alone participating. There is much to learn. With professional support confidence grows and they realise they really can do this and be part of something wonderful. The quality of resulting public performances never fails to astound.

Once it is over

Everyone involved has learned something about themselves and their abilities. Pimlico continues to support some prisoners when they return to the workplace - either by helping them find work in the theatre or by guiding them to professional training. Pimlico Opera is trying to obtain an educational accreditation for the project

What it costs

All of this costs £180,000 and is entirely funded by charitable trusts and personal gifts. If you think this work is important please support us with a gift. You will be invited to attend a behind the scenes tour of the prison.

Pimlico Opera background

Pimlico Opera was founded in 1987 by Wasfi Kani OBE. There are two strands to its work: an annual project in prison and autumn performances which aim to provide openings for younger artists in operas with high production values.

Landmark productions include the first British performance of Shostakovich's musical comedy Cheryomushki, a satire on life in a 1950's Moscow housing estate which was the subject of a BBC documentary and nominated for a BAFTA award.

View performance histories: Pimlico Opera in Prison and Pimlico Opera on Tour

In prison

There have been 20 projects in prison, each lasting 6-8 weeks, which culminate in public performances in which inmates share the stage with professionals.

Besides the obvious educational and rehabilitative opportunities for prisoners, these annual events have become a focus for how prisons might better serve society and help prisoners to become good and useful members of the community. The Company has taken nearly 50,000 public into prison and has worked with more than a thousand prisoners.

The first collaboration was Sweeney Todd with Wormwood Scrubs inmates serving life sentences (described by The Times as the coup de théâtre of 1991). A collaboration with HMP Wandsworth in Guys & Dolls was the subject of a BBC documentary nominated for a BAFTA award. In Dublin's historic Mountjoy prison the project was met with great acclaim and a gala performance was attended by then President Mary Robinson.

Sir Stephen Tumim was the Patron of this work until his death. Michael Portillo is now Patron of the prison project.

PRISON NOTICEBOARD

You can donate to the project now - download the Support Form.

March 2011: Pimlico Opera were in HMP Send. See some video and what people said.

If you would like to be kept informed about future Pimlico Opera projects, please email the Opera Office