Woodhill encapsulates the meaning of theatre. Electric, political, and lyrical, this is a must-see at Fringe.
Through a combination of a verbatim script and physical theatre, Woodhill tells the stories of three young men who took their lives in HMP Woodhill, and their families’ subsequent attempts to unravel their stories. By focussing on these three cases, the show brings to light systemic failures which contribute to the high suicide rate at Woodhill.
The Ministry of Justice officially acknowledged the decline at HMP Woodhill in June of this year: this performance is an indictment of the British criminal justice system. We hear from the boys’ families, as well as prison officers and politicians. All of this drives home the magnitude of the crisis, and the horrific effects which a brokem system has on people.
Physical theatre and dance is executed impeccably by Tyler Brazao, Chris Otim, Miah Robinson, and Marina Climent: the choreography is sharp, visceral, and is an astounding visual communication of grief. Chris Otim’s presence as a ghost following the families around—taking up increasing space as the show went on—was especially haunting to watch. The performers’ bodies are brimming with emotion, and they each bring huge amounts of energy to the piece. I was completely absorbed from start to finish.
The authenticity of the spoken word sits in a beautiful contrast to the abstract choreography, which allows each medium to draw more meaning and emotion from one another.
Equally, the set is astounding—boxes on shelves which move around the stage to create various shapes and to aid the storytelling lift the visual experience further. They surround the performers in the space and serve as a motif, representing the men’s lives which have been lost, as well as the constraining nature of the prison system.
I found myself moved to tears at multiple points during Woodhill. It is a beautiful and disturbing piece of campaign theatre which does not allow you to look away from corruption and grief.
Woodhill is on at Zoo Southside until August 30 (not 17, 24). Buy tickets here.
Image by Alex Powell, provided to The Student as press material.
