Inspired by the experiences of children who have a parent in prison, 8 Hours There and Back is the latest from Liverpool-based, female-led theatre company All Things Considered.
The company says: "Much of our work is verbatim because we love chatting to people and discovering the funny, moving and unique stories we all have inside us. These hidden conversations are the
starting point for our performances."
8 Hours There and Back tells, through a mix of theatre, dance and projections, how a system set up by adults is failing children. Their lives are timed around phone calls and visits that clash with football practice, dance classes, friends’ birthday parties and school lessons. They move house and live with grandparents, aunts and uncles. They go to school and dodge looks and questions, try to get good marks, stay out of trouble, blend in and be normal when the judicial system has forgotten about them.
The company says: "300,000 children are affected by parental incarceration, but there is very little understanding or representation of their stories and experiences. 8 Hours There and Back is based on the
testimonies of children with this experience and is drawn from three years of collaborative
work between All Things Considered, Time Matters UK, Families Outside and Unity
Theatre in LIverpool.
"We are now collaborating with organisations that work with families who are affected by parental imprisonment across the North of England, including NEPACS, PACT, Jigsaw, Clinks, POPs and Out There."
See 8 Hours There and Back at Unity Theatre, Liverpool (September 13-14); The Old Electric, Blackpool (October 4); Edge HiIl Arts Centre, Ormskirk (October 16); Theatre Hullabaloo, Darlington (October 17); Waterside Arts, Sale (October 18) and The Dukes, Lancaster (October 22).
More info and ticket links here