Evaluation Title

Elmina's Kitchen

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative

Evaluation Focus Attitudinal change, Behaviour change, Personal development, Public perception of offenders

Key indicators Behavioural change, Motivation to Change

Methodologies Engagement Matrix, Interviews, Observation, Questionnaires

Summary of evaluation

An evaluation of the impact of the performance of play in HMP Brixton on the Synergy Theatre participants invloved and the audiences.

Project description

In October 2006, 212 prisoners, 160 invited guests (including prison staff, their guests, arts professionals and funders as well as members of the general public) and 32 cast member’s relatives and friends saw seven performances of Elmina’s Kitchen, which were staged by Synergy Theatre Project and a cast and crew of thirteen inmates at HMP Brixton.

Elmina’s Kitchen is a play written by Kwame Kwei-Armah. Set in Hackney,  Elmina's Kitchen addresses black criminality and what Kwame Kwei-Armah calls "the rise in inner- city gunplay – people using guns as if they were in movies". The play centres on the deteriorating relationship between Deli, the owner of a struggling West Indian restaurant, and his son Ashley, who, influenced by local gangster Digger, deems his law-abiding dad a failure.



Key Quote

The project had a positive impact on participants’ behaviour. Using an engagement matrix (see page 9) we can show participants moved from disengagement and disaffection to full engagement, appreciation and acceptance of success.

The process enabled participants to develop personal skills, including communication and team working skills, and increased self confidence... and..there is evidence of participants forming new aspirations and motivations as a result of the project.


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