About
MAGNIFY is an exciting sharing of original work devised and performed by a cast of Kestrel actors.
Created from scratch over a two week process, MAGNIFY is the end result of a creative collaboration between writer Simon Longman (Royal Court, Paines Plough) and the acting company.
Quotes & Reviews
Previous Praise
'A privilege to have this here at the Royal Court. Brave political work which broke all our hearts' Vicky Featherstone (previous Artistic Director of the Royal Court) on Broken Dreams, Royal Court, 2018
'This project has honestly opened up a new world of possibilities. I’m not sure if you even understand how empowering the work that you do is…. keep going because you are changing lives, fact.' Kestrel performer
'I have been incarcerated for 13 years now and I have never been on a project where I have laughed so much. I was encouraged to push myself to a point where I felt I really excelled...it has opened up a new world in terms of what I would like to do with my life.' Kestrel performer
'It’s been a beautiful thing, therapy in a way and given us the opportunity to be ourselves.' Kestrel performer
'When I came into prison, I thought I would want to forget every second. These are two weeks I never want to forget.' Kestrel performer
The Company
Credits
Directors - El Henderson & Jason York
Dramaturg & Writer - Simon Longman
Designer - Lauren Connolly
Producers - Kay Michael & Annys Whyatt
Videographer - Gio Edwards
Cast:
Declan Louis-Byfield
Errol McGlashan
Keaton Ancona-Francis
Kene Khwaja
Lenus Rosil
Michael Campbell
Images by Jack Wells, Anna McDonald and Dorothy Allen-Pickard.
About the Company
Kestrel employs professionals to work creatively within the criminal justice system, facilitating original pieces of work, mostly theatre and film.
Kestrel aims to empower people with experience of the criminal justice system to express themselves in a non judgemental, collaborative and enabling environment. They aim to help those taking part develop greater self confidence, mutual respect, and resilience. By realising their creative potential, they support them to produce work of the highest standard.
Kestrel has previously collaborated with the Royal Court Theatre, Old Vic Theatre and Headlong Theatre. They work in prisons all over the country, and with men after their release in the community.
Kestrel’s show Broken Dreams at the Royal Court was the first time serving prisoners released on temporary licence had performed on a professional London stage over a 2 week run.