8 hours there and back
300,000 children are impacted by parental incarceration. In the process of creating this work the most common comment we have had from people is “oh…you don’t think about the kids do you?”. This project is a response to that.
8 Hours is based on the testimonies and lived experience of children who have experienced parental incarceration. We spoke to the children from Time Matters UK, Families Outside and those across the globe who have this shared experience. This performance is their story.
The performance was made and shared in February 2022 supported by The Unity Theatre. It played to sold out audiences and to an invited audience of trainee teachers and social workers. The children identified that these were the people that 'needed to hear’ their story. Performances were followed by a post show discussion and training for the invited audiences.
Told through hip hop theatre and projection mapping this project is inspired by the testimonies of the many children we spoke to and explores not only their experience but also what they feel needs to change. This is on a policy level but also on a human level. We will be linking up theatre venues with organisations and stakeholders within their local community that work with families impacted so that change can start happening within each community.
8 Hours there and Back will be on tour in Autumn 2024 to small scale venues across the North/Midlands. This project is being funded by Reaching Communities National Lottery Fund, Arts Council England and is supported by Liverpool John Moores University, The Unity Theatre and Time Matters UK.