Shakespeare behind bars

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Tags: Arts, centenary-edition

Last year marked a milestone for Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar when it was performed by inmates of the maximum-security Borallon Correctional Centre.

The Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble's Andrea Carne performs with an inmate from Borallon Correctional Centre

The performance to Borallon staff, prisoners and invited guests highlighted an innovative education program run by the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble (QSE), led by artistic director and UQ lecturer Dr Rob Pensalfini.

The production was only the second time Australian prisoners had staged a Shakespearean play, the first being The Tempest, which capped off QSE’s pilot program in 2006.

“In 2006, The Tempest’s themes of incarceration, isolation and loss of privilege and freedom were recognised as important and relevant from the prisoners’ perspectives,” Dr Pensalfini said.

“With Julius Caesar, the discussion of the use and misuse of power, betrayal, loyalty and violence has proved pertinent.

“The heart of the program’s philosophy is that violent behaviour often comes out of an inability to express negative thoughts and emotions in words, so it’s been important to be able to discuss and dramatise violent situations in a safe environment, a task made easier by the passion and precision of Shakespeare’s language.”

Approximately 20 inmates worked with Dr Pensalfini and three of his QSE colleagues who conducted weekly theatre games and rehearsals over several months.

Called Arts in Community Enhancement (ACE), the project was made possible by support from Borallon staff and UQ, and also received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

By Cameron Pegg

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