New book covers a decade of theatre in criminal justice settings
Newly published Playing for Time Theatre Company – Perspectives from the Prison offers readers a resource for using theatre in criminal justice contexts, exploring ideas of identity, community, social justice and the power of the arts.
Edited by Annie McKean and Kate Massey-Chase, the book analyses and reflects upon Playing for Time Theatre Company’s evolution and model of practice, with university students and prisoners working side-by-side, led by industry professionals. The work draws on diverse methodologies and approaches, with chapters written from multiple perspectives, including a forensic psychologist, director, playwright, historian, student and former prisoners.
The voices and reflections of participating prisoners are central to the book. It presents both an overview and analysis of a decade of the company’s work, as well as offering perspectives on the efficacy of arts practice in the UK criminal justice system from 2000 onwards.
Published by Intellect.
Click here to purchase the book
Annie McKean was a Senior Fellow in Knowledge Exchange at the University of Winchester lecturing in applied drama and theatre, and drama in education. She was Artistic Director of Playing for Time Theatre Company delivering theatre projects in HMP Winchester for over a decade.
Kate Massey-Chase is an AHRC-funded Ph.D. student at the University of Exeter, researching how applied theatre could support young people in the transition between Child & Adolescent and Adult Mental Health Services, and a visiting lecturer on the MA Applied Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Image courtesy of Intellect
