Overview

Motion (noun);  the activity or process of continually changing position or moving from one place to another.

Between January and October 2018 we took up residency in HMPYOI Polmont, Scotland’s only facility for young men in custody. The project was part of National Theatre of Scotland’s Futureproof Festival for Year of young people 2018 which saw 10 international companies making theatre for and with Scottish young people.

MOTION was an original show created by the men in the group exploring the central question; what does it mean to be a young man in Scotland today? It was performed to over 300 people including family, stakeholders and peers over one week in October 2018 and received huge amounts of positive feedback.

 

“An eloquent, insightful and humorous performance” – Sunday Post

“It’s importance is immeasurable” – The Herald

Team

Co-Director: Jess Thorpe
Co-Director: Tashi Gore
Designer: Rachel O’Neill
Sound Designer: Richard Price
Lighting Designer: Euan McLaren
Young Associate: Sean Fullwood
Barnardo’s Youth Worker: Michelle Anderston

Produced by National Theatre of Scotland
Commissioned by 21 Common

Process

“I have been in the drama group right from the beginning. I was a bit shy at first because I didn’t know everybody. I thought it was going to be boring and a bit ridiculous if I’m honest. I just didn’t see myself doing drama at all. But after a couple of weeks I started getting into it and things started feeling better. I like being out of my gaff and spending time with people. I feel a good buzz being in front of an audience and being on stage with my mates. The show is really about us. Young men – what we like and what our needs are. I wanted an audience to leave the show thinking what we made was good and not what they expected coming into a prison.”

– Lee (Performer)

Press

“Yesterday our Chief Inspector was in the audience for MOTION, a production written and acted by young people in #hmpyoipolmont in collaboration with the National Theatre for Scotland. It was funny, heart wrenching and thought provoking. An excellent interactive performance” – @hmipscot

How theatre is helping Polmont’s young offenders put their lives in better Motion – Sunday Post

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Credits

Video: Kim Beveridge
Photo: Tim Morozzo
Main Image: Jassy Earl