Drama Behind Bars

Oct 8, 2015 at 04:50 pm

William Head on Stage is not your ordinary theatre company. It's the only one in Canada that is inmate-run, and its stage is inside a minimum security prison.

Each fall for the last 33 years, the public is invited inside William Head Institution for WHoS's annual production, produced and performed by inmates.

And this year's offering promises to send shivers down your spine. Inspired by Peter Johnson's book Quarantined, HERE: A Captive Odyssey tells the tales of the William Head peninsula.

This wind-swept land was once First Nations fishing ground, a sheep farm, and a quarantine station for infectious disease before it became a prison. Built in 1912, there are sure to be many astonishing tales within those prison walls.

"Through drama, movement, shadow puppetry and live music, audiences will experience a haunting time-travel vortex that whirls through centuries of both First Nations and settler occupation," according to the show's description.

HERE also features a team of local creatives, known as the Prison Arts Collective who help make the production possible, including director and dramaturge Kate Rubin, writer and co-dramaturge Kathleen Greenfield, music director Katrina Kadoski, set designer Carole Klemm, lighting designer Poe Limkul, stage manager mentor Erin Crowley and choreographer Ingrid Hansen.

Performances are Oct. 9-10, Oct. 16-17, Oct. 23-24, Oct. 29-31 and Nov. 5-7

Gate opens at 6:15pm and closes at 7:15pm (no latecomers)

The show begins at 7:30pm

The prison is about 35 minutes from Hotel Zed

Tickets are $20 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2239572

and must be purchased in advance.

This is a 19+ event. You may be electronically scanned and searched by a dog. No personal belongings are permitted and must be left in your car. Photo ID is required.

More information at whonstage.weebly.com

Mary Ellen Green
analoguemag.ca