However, as the show breaks into dialogue, the atmosphere changes to warmth, as the prisoners start a light-hearted ‘Porridge’ style conversation.

The modern-day prisoners are our narrators through this 80 min show with many questions asked and answers posed.

The shows point of reference is French philosopher Michel Foucault’s Discipline and Punish and it uses a variety of mediums to tell the stories – including some very stunning shadow puppetry.

We time travel back in time to experience how prisoners were treated many years ago and then back to the present day.

The ensemble cast, a mix of actors, some with lived experience perform with passion and power.

There are some heartbreaking scenes along with insights into restorative justice and how it can help both the prisoner and the victim. The lead up to this point is through the articulate storytelling, academic dissection and exploration of prison failings made this process make sense.

The show was co-created with Expert Citizens over a three-month period who shared ideas, feelings and experiences. The Director Saul Hewish has been working within the prison system since 1987 and has witnessed the decline in standards and overcrowding during that time.

Punishment Acts is a fine example that theatre is more than, glitz, glamour and happy endings. It can be used to communicate, explain and change attitudes. It takes you on a journey from beginning to end and provides a deeper understanding of how the justice system works, who it actually brings justice too, and how a society we can go about making changes for the better.

5 stars

Punishment Acts is running until 17 April, 2025. For more details please visit HERE