8 hours there and back
300,000 children are impacted by parental incarceration. In the process of creating this work the most common comment we have had from people is “oh…you don’t think about the kids do you?”. This project is a response to that.
8 Hours is based on the testimonies and lived experience of children who have experienced parental incarceration. We spoke to the children from Time Matters UK, Families Outside and those across the globe who have this shared experience. This performance is their story.
The performance was made and shared in February 2022 supported by The Unity Theatre. It played to sold out audiences and to an invited audience of trainee teachers and social workers. The children identified that these were the people that 'needed to hear’ their story. Performances were followed by a post show discussion and training for the invited audiences.
Told through hip hop theatre and projection mapping this project is inspired by the testimonies of the many children we spoke to and explores not only their experience but also what they feel needs to change. This is on a policy level but also on a human level. We will be linking up theatre venues with organisations and stakeholders within their local community that work with families impacted so that change can start happening within each community.
8 Hours there and Back will be on tour in Autumn 2024 to small scale venues across the North/Midlands. This project is being funded by Reaching Communities National Lottery Fund, Arts Council England and is supported by Liverpool John Moores University, The Unity Theatre and Time Matters UK.
Time Matters UK were established in 2017 and focus on helping children impacted by parental imprisonment but they also support whole families which includes parents and carers in the community, and parents who are in, or have been in prison.
They are All Things Considered core partner and the words of the children have informed the script.
Jigsaw Visitor Centre is a registered charity that provides support to those visiting their loved ones in prison. We understand that prisoners' families are impacted by imprisonment of a loved one and so we aim to make this time easier for all those affected.
POPS is a user-led organisation, supporting families through their contact with the criminal justice system as a result of a loved one’s conviction. We aim to help individuals overcome stigma, understand their identity, build self-confidence/skills and contribute to a more cohesive society.
Pact is a pioneering national charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their children and families. We provide caring and life changing services at every stage of the criminal justice process: in court, in prison, on release, and in the community.
Their vision is of a society that understands justice as a process of restoration and healing, that uses prisons sparingly and as places of learning and rehabilitation, and that values the innate dignity and worth of every human being.
Nepacs and its forerunners have been working in the north east of England to to support a positive future for prisoners and their families for over 135 years. Since 1882, the structure of the organisation and our services have changed, but NEPACS’ commitment to helping people affected by imprisonment remains constant.
Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system to ensure it can provide the services people need. They provide information on the challenges facing the sector, what Clinks and their members are doing in these areas, their current projects and sources of support.
Out There is a registered charity providing emotional and practical support for families of prisoner. They support families and children in the Greater Manchester area and were part of the pilot project with All Things.
Meet the team…
Adele Inglis Choreogapher
Adele is a Hip Hop and commercial dance. She is a teacher, runs regular classes at 0161 in Manchester and teaches at a wide range of drama schools. She directs and choreographs Hip Hop Theatre and brings her unique style to everything that she does. Adele brings a wide range of influences in to her work including popping, waacking and house.
Adele will be creating the physical language to the piece. Having directed numerous Hip Hop Theatre shows this performance will draw on her experience and knowledge of a wide range of contemporary dance styles to bring the words and emotions to life on stage. Adele is currently being supported by Developing Your Own Creative Practice to explore the creation of Hip Hop Theatre.
Steph Hawke: Evaluator
Steph Hawke is an arts and community evaluator with over 20 years experience in the field of art, culture and creative learning. With an interdisciplinary PhD in cultural studies, Steph specialises in qualitative methods that allow for a detailed understanding of the impact of an intervention.
I am excited to support the evaluation of 8 Hours There and Back. I’m hopeful that the evaluation will reveal the value of the arts in facilitating children to speak truth to power. I really want to know the impact this can have when people who hold influence are invited to listen.
Tracey Gibbs Lighting Designer
Before Tracey’s move into theatre, she was an established advertising photographer in Manchester. With a career of creating imagery behind her and her experience with performing and teaching dance, the move to become one of the people who make performance possible was a natural progression. Recent credits:’Toxic’ (Home Space 2) Manchester Tuning In (Theatre by The Lake & Lowry Studio), `Light Falls (Manchester School of Theatre), Candide (Blackheath Hall London),Machinal (LIPA Liverpool).
Tracey is looking forward to the chance to give form to voices and stories seldom heard and impact the situations these young people find themselves in to a wider audience.
Stephen Hull Sound Designer
Credits include theatrical productions, short films, TV documentaries, TVC’s, radio plays, podcasts, audiobooks and a variety of digital media projects including sound designing medical VR training tools, and producing electronic music remixes for international artists.
Stephen was the Sound Designer for the European City Of Sport Opening Ceremony (2016) and regularly collaborates with directors and writers from The Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatre. He has mentored students from Liverpool John Moores University and Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute Of Performing Arts.
Stephen trained at Manchester’s School of Sound Recording and has qualifications in Audio Engineering Techniques and Technology, Audio Post Production for Film and TV and is Avid Pro Tools certified.
Ellie Light Set Designer
Ellie is a Freelance Designer, Maker and Painter in Liverpool. She has experience as a theatre designer and domestic interior designer. She also has experience with 2D and 3D CAD, painting and decorating, scenic art and model making.
Her work includes many shows at The Everyman Theatre and Playhouse including Top Girls, Dogs and Cheery Jezebel. She is meticulous and detailed ensuring that each design is bespoke to the text and the director.
Ellie works in collaboration with a wide range of artists and will be working with the team to explore how the many worlds of the children in prison can be created in an effective and beautiful set design.
Noel Jones Projection Mapping Artist
Noel, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in Creative Technology and artistic sound design, has made significant contributions across various sectors, including Higher Education, professional engagements, and community-based projects. As a New Media Artist, his work is characterised by collaborative and interdisciplinary projects, resulting in innovative art forms and exhibited works.
Rooted in a background of Fine Art studies, Noel's journey has traversed over the creative landscapes, evolving into video and installation art. In the past 15 years, he's focused on collaborations with choreographers and dance artists, specialising in developing immersive production experiences. Most recently, he is a founding member of the 24 Hope Street artist collective, contributing his expertise and fostering creativity within the dance and theatre communities. Currently, Noel is engaged in exploring the creative applications of artificial intelligence in video and image creation, and he's also incorporating the use of games technologies as artistic tools. This ongoing exploration continues to inspire and innovate in the realms of Creative Technology and sound design.