Putting prison life on the stage

By Jemima Laing
BBC Devon

One of the young people taking part in the show

It may seem a risky strategy to leave the entire creation of a new play to the young people taking part.

But the idea is central to the ethos of Dartmoor's MED Theatre and its latest creation: All That Was Left Behind.

Thirty two local children have been responsible for the whole project, mentored by MED's staff.

"There is such satisfaction for them in seeing the whole creative process to the completion of the project," said development officer Gillian Webster.

"They have complete ownership of their project and use democracy in their weekly meetings to manage the dreams and expectations of each group member," explained Gillian.

MED - a community theatre organisation - embraces performance work inspired by Dartmoor and one of the area's most iconic sites is the prison at Princetown.

And the war prison, which housed inmates from many nationalities during the Napoleonic Wars, is the setting and inspiration for the play which will be staged at the prison's museum.

"It is one thing to facilitate these young people to develop and grow under the mentoring of professionals who are experts in their field," said Abby Stobart, MED's education officer.

The play focuses on the Napoleonic wars

"But if the subject being explored is one that the young people have requested themselves, and they feel connected to their local heritage, the skills and knowledge that they gain will stay ingrained in them rather than simply being a fun experience."

As well as the play, the young people - who are aged between and 13 and 19 and are all local - have made a film to tie in with the play which will be shown before each performance.

The whole enterprise has been enabled by grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and several other bodies and also involves 60 more children from Tavistock and Princetown primary schools.

A number of local skilled professionals and artists have led workshops on research, film-making, playwriting, mask and puppet-making, dance, and costume and prop-making which has provided those involved with the skills they need to create the show.

One participant, Lucy Connolly, says being involved is "like a life changer".

And Gillian, too, is clear about the benefits to the youngsters of taking part.

"It helps disperses that image that many people have of young people hanging around street corners," she said.

"It's about raising their aspirations for the future and realising what they can achieve."

All That Was Left Behind
Princetown Prison Museum
14 November at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Moretonhampstead Parish Hall 9 December 2009 at 7.30pm