Not just a piece of theatre, but a powerful campaign bursting with an urgent message which refuses to be imprisoned any longer.
LUNG’s Woodhill at the Northwall presented its message that for many, a sentence at HMP Woodhill is synonymous with a death sentence loud and clear. The company’s use of stylised, fervent movement experimentally toed the line between contemporary dance and physical theatre. This accompanied an impressively constructed recording of true verbatim stories, delivered lyrically by an audio cast. LUNG and director Matt Woodhead worked closely with the ‘Woodhill Families Group’ to capture the agonising reality of losing loved ones to the ruthless prison system. Their pre-show gallery of pictures and quotes from the families instantly connected you to the show’s subject matter before even entering the auditorium. Having never seen a production in this documentary campaign style, particularly when paired with such stand-out movement, I was both intrigued and impressed by the unforgettable impact of this piece’s unique form.
Woodhill is told in one 75 minute act, throughout which the relentless pace never falters. Initially, though impressed by the four performers’ immaculate precision, I was overwhelmed by the uncomfortable contortions of their bodies punctuating every word. However, I soon realised we as the audience were intentionally imprisoned within the harsh world of their play – a point emphasised by the claustrophobic, industrial set which literally ‘boxed in’ the cast members. The opening distinguishes the storylines of three boys falling into the judicial system, told in fragmented memories by their family members. These storylines are intertwined with perspectives from prison wardens, inmate gangs and court personnel, providing a nuanced stance on the issues raised. At no point was the political message of the piece overtaken by emotional connection to any one character, despite showcasing truly haunting circumstances. This gave the stories a universal quality, highlighting their poignant message that ‘this could be your family; this could be you’.
One element that particularly struck me was the decision to signify each of the 33 Woodhill inmate suicides by throwing confetti into the air as their name was proudly announced. Watching the glittering papers flutter gently to the ground seemed to juxtapose oddly with the gruelling, sombre nature of the rest of the piece. Yet, it later occurred to me that this represented the shocking reality that, upon becoming a victim of both a merciless prison system and unforgiving state, death becomes something to celebrate – it is a relief, their only escape. These troubling revelations hit me hard and fast for hours after watching the show; Woodhill certainly needs time to marinate as the severity of its message continues to unfold in your mind.
After the show, I met Carole Carpenter, the sister of Chris Carpenter who died in Woodhill prison. The pride welling in her eyes told me clearly that this production was undeniably successful in giving her story a brilliant platform. Yet, this made me wonder if LUNG could have pushed their documentary theatre style even further by including clips of the real Woodhill families, or recordings of their voices in the performance. I say this only because, at times, the grit of their message was somewhat diluted in translation to the audio cast. Perhaps their messages would have cut through the mesmerising stylised aesthetic with greater force if they had remained in their most authentic form, rather than risking coming across like a backing track for the choreography. Having said this, there were several instances where the choreography itself, depicting swaying hanged bodies and the crippling onset of grief to their families, cut straight through to my core and left me breathless.
This show was not created simply to entertain, it’s a call to arms. It feels a necessary watch to spread a startling political message. As I exited the theatre, I added my signature in solidarity with the Woodhill family’s #NoMoreDeaths campaign, and have no doubt Woodhill will create much needed change.
Reviewed by Ella Thornburn on 21/10/2023