Opening at Southwark Playhouse this week is a production of ‘Lifers’, by acclaimed playwright Evan Placey. 

The play is presented by Synergy Theatre Project, a company that works with prisoners, ex-prisoners, young offenders and young people at risk of offending to create works that give voice to those in the criminal justice system with the hope of inspiring change. 

‘Lifers’ focuses on older offenders and the specific issues that arise from being an older person in prison. I spoke to writer Evan ahead of opening night. 

CM: Can you begin by telling us about the narrative of the play? Who is ‘Lifers’ about and where does the story take us?
EP: It’s about growing old in prison. It centres primarily on the relationship between a ‘lifer’, Lenny, and a prison officer, Mark, and the difficult decisions each has to make when Lenny starts losing his memory.

As Lenny’s health starts to deteriorate, Mark must decide how far he’s willing to go to help Lenny and also face the difficult question of if you can ever separate the man from the crime he committed.

CM: What themes are explored through the play? 
EP: The play looks at ageing, incarceration and how to maintain dignity in a place like prison. It looks at the limits of empathy that a ’system’ has, and institutionalisation. It also explores ‘found families’.

CM: Where did the idea for this work come from?
EP: I had written a couple plays for Synergy in the past – both of which were for young audiences,and I started thinking about the other end of the spectrum. 

Through my initial research I came across an article which anecdotally mentioned a prison officer who had to continually remind a prisoner where he was – he had dementia and didn’t remember he was in prison, and that image took root in my brain.

I was interested in looking at ageing more broadly – how we treat the elderly in society – and was going through the need for support when my dad was dying. I’m going to generalise here, but for the most part, we ignore the old. We strip them of dignity in all sorts of ways.

Telling it through the specific lens of prison gave me the story to explore the themes as it’s a heightened microcosm of what happens in the rest of society.

CM: What research was required to create it? 
EP: Key to the development was going into prison to meet and work with older prisoners, ‘lifers’ and prison officers. So while I also did lots of reading as research, the ‘hands on’ research – working with prisoners and also ex-prisoners – was fundamental to the play’s development.

CM: Who is it aimed at? Does the play have specific messages to impart? 
EP: It’s quite a big play in terms of its themes and it uses prison as a microcosm to explore ageing and care in wider society. So really it’s a play for anyone who knows someone old, will get old themself, or is old.

I’m not a big fan of messages in plays per se. And I tend to write about questions rather than answers or messages. 

So I suppose the play explores how the system is not working and what exactly can we do as individuals to change it? How do we take responsibility for the most vulnerable in society?

CM: Can you tell us about the cast and creative team? 
EP: Peter Wight plays Lenny, and he’s joined by Sam Cox and Ricky Fearon.

Allowing the voices of older people to take up space in our theatres has been a joy. It does mean, though, that the rehearsal room is rambunctious! These are not docile old guys!

James Backway and Mona Goodwin play the younger characters in the show which counterbalance the older men as the people responsible for their care, which creates a really exciting dynamic with these actors. 

Esther Baker, the artistic director of Synergy, is directing. She’s directed two plays of mine previously and a short film, so we have a shorthand with each other having worked together across fifteen years.

Esther is not only an astute director, but has worked in prisons for decades, so the play is in no safer hands. 

On our supporting creative team we also have talent who have experienced prison, so there’s a wealth of knowledge working on the show. We’ve also got a brilliant wider team of creatives working on the play, which includes ex-prisoners.

CM: Can you talk to us about the Synergy Theatre Project? What are its aims and who is involved? What is your role in it? 
EP: Synergy is about using theatre – and film – to engage with the criminal justice system. I’m an Associate Artist at Synergy.

The company works in prisons running courses, putting on plays, as well as working outside of prison with ex-prisoners as well as those at risk of offending. It also creates employment opportunities for ex-prisoners on its productions and courses. 

CM: And can you tell us a bit about you? How did you come to be pursuing this kind of work? How did it all begin? 
EP: I was taken to loads of theatre as a kid by my parents.

While I started out thinking I wanted to be an actor, by the time I was a teenager I became more interested in what was going on behind the scenes of theatre, and discovered writing. I realised I loved telling stories. 

I came to London where I did an MA at the Royal Central School Of Speech And Drama, as well as the Royal Court Young Writers’ Programme. The play I wrote on the latter won several awards and competitions and it sort of snowballed from there.

CM: What have been the highlights of your artistic life thus far? 
EP: Having the opportunity to do so much work for and with young people. Also, seeing my work in other languages – how it can reach audiences who don’t share my culture – has been really special and moving for me.

CM: What aims and ambitions do you have for the future? 
EP: I’d love to write a musical. And a novel. Two forms I’ve not really worked in.

CM: What’s coming up next for you after this? 
EP: I’ve written some episodes of telly that are about to film, and have finished a couple of new plays which I’m looking forward to working on new drafts of.

So after the fun and energy of a rehearsal room, I’m looking forward to being back at my desk for a little while.

‘Lifers’ is on at Southwark Playhouse from 1-25 Oct, see the venue website here for more information and to book tickets.

LINKS: southwarkplayhouse.co.uk | www.synergytheatreproject.co.uk | x.com/evanplacey