The Hal Company in association with Suzanna Rosenthal Productions presents the world premiere of Penned Up, a new play by award-winning playwright Danusia Iwaszko, on tour this autumn. Drawing on Danusia’s 15 plus years of experience teaching playwriting in prisons in Suffolk, Penned Up offers an unflinching look at life inside.
Think Porridge meets Brassed Off, a laugh riot and a gut-punch in equal measure. Witty, raw and full of heart, Penned Up is a powerful celebration of storytelling, second chances and the unexpected bonds that form behind bars.
Welcome to HMP Ditchfield, where every week a group of prisoners are challenged to write their own plays. From boxing rings to the Brazilian rainforest, from painful pasts to wildly imaginative futures, these men discover that theatre is more than words on a page – it’s a lifeline, a way to reclaim their voices. But when creativity clashes with control, tensions rise, secrets unravel, and laughter gives way to rebellion. Can words be the greatest escape?
Penned Up will visit Suffolk on tour:
Wednesday 10 – Thursday 11 Sept Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
Tuesday 16 – Wednesday 17 Sept New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
Saturday 20 Sept Sudbury Quay Theatre
The show will also tour prisons including HMP Hollesley Bay and HMP Highpoint.
Penned Up is produced by The Hal Company CIO in association with Suzanna Rosenthal Productions, who are grateful for the support of Arts Council England, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Community Foundation, Conservatoire East, Suffolk Town Council, Menagerie Theatre, The Drapers Charitable Trust, The Ridley Godfrey Foundation, St Giles and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds in association with HighTide and Synergy Theatre Project and thanks to Suzanne Drown and commercial sponsors.
Danusia Iwaszko is an award-winning playwright and director. Her plays have been staged across the UK, in Ireland and Australia. She is an Artistic Associate at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds and has previously been an attached writer at the National Theatre. Danusia has taught playwriting in prisons for over fifteen years.
For more information on the Penned Up tour, visit: https://www.thehalcompany.org
Age guidance 12+. Content warning: Strong language.
SUFFOLK THEATRE 