SYNERGY bring new plays to the stage that “provide fresh insights” about how the criminal justice system works and to share the reality faced by prisoners.

LIFERS tells the story of three older prisoners who are serving life imprisonment in HMP Drummond. Their crimes aren’t the focus at first in the story as so much time has passed since sentencing. Norton (Sam Cox), Baxter (Ricky Fearon) and Lenny (Peter Wight) are playing their regular game of cards and gambling with cocktail sticks. Although this doesn’t stop the bluffing and cheating going on.

Lenny is starting to get things muddled and forgetting where he is, he knows he is ill but the Doctor played by Mona Goodwin is reluctant to agree for him to be referred to hospital.

Prison Officer Mark played by Jack Backway watches how Lenny is struggling and is going above and beyond his duties to help him. Frustrated by the system he talks to the Doctor socially to ask her to refer Lenny. She explains why she hasn’t and the cost per visit is staggering. One visit will cost £960 out of the prison’s budget and she breaks it down itemising each separate cost that amounts to the final bill. With rising costs, I can imagine this will rise.

LIFERS deals with the complexity of being human and working alongside those who have committed the most abhorrent crimes yet looking at the person and trying to make a difference to their lives.

The truths that come out are jarring and appear out of the blue. Evan Placey’s writing draws you into one storyline and throws you off course in an instant making for a gripping and compelling watch throughout the play. The reality of prisoners’ crimes and life on the inside isn’t for the faint-hearted.

For more information about LIFERS, Synergy and future productions at Southwark Playhouse please use the links below.

https://www.synergytheatreproject.co.uk/

https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/lifers/

https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/

Cast

Peter Wight-Lenny

James Backway-Mark

Sam Cox-Norton

Ricky Fearon-Baxter

Mona Goodwin-Sonya.

Writer Evan Placey
Director Esther Baker
Designer Katy McPhee
Costume Designer is Stella Cecil
Lighting Designer Tony Simpson
Sound Designer Sarah Weltman
Dramaturgy by Neil Grutchfield.