In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with co-director of LUNG and dramaturg Helen Monks about LUNG's show Woodhill.
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| Chris Otim in Woodhill in 2023. Photo by Alex Powell. |
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
Woodhill is a verbatim dance theatre piece built from the testimony of three families who lost their relatives to suicide at HMP Woodhill. Every word spoken by the audio actors is real and taken directly from conversations the writer Matt Woodhead had with these families. The dancers on stage then play the characters - voiceless, physical, telling the story through their bodies. It began as a tribute. It's become a campaign. These families have never stopped asking how and why their sons died, and this show exists to make sure that question gets asked even louder.
Woodhill is a verbatim dance theatre piece built from the testimony of three families who lost their relatives to suicide at HMP Woodhill. Every word spoken by the audio actors is real and taken directly from conversations the writer Matt Woodhead had with these families. The dancers on stage then play the characters - voiceless, physical, telling the story through their bodies. It began as a tribute. It's become a campaign. These families have never stopped asking how and why their sons died, and this show exists to make sure that question gets asked even louder.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
It came from meeting Carole, Linda, Janet and Lee and together forming the Woodhill Families Group. We meet once a month, originally to develop the show and now to design the tour and the campaign that will run alongside the show. This group so clearly highlights the enormously urgent crisis that’s happening in our prisons, and the very real cost to that crisis. We so often hear statistics about prisons in the news, but to truly understand it on a human level we knew we needed to put the words of the real, human impact on stage.
How have you approached developing the show?
First of all, we made a short film with Woodhill family member Janet. This has been our guiding star from the beginning - it succinctly shows what we want to say and how we want to say it. That film has been played at Universities and conferences across the country, and from there we began developing the longer form play. Matt, the writer and director, spent 2 years meeting regularly with Carole, Linda, Janet and Lee to form their words into the core stories of the piece. He then met with prison ministers, staff, support workers and prisoners themselves up and down the country to add a wide kaleidoscope of voices and experiences to the script. We then worked with a brilliant creative team to make the play as visually stunning as possible, including the outstanding choreography of Alexzandra Sarmiento.
First of all, we made a short film with Woodhill family member Janet. This has been our guiding star from the beginning - it succinctly shows what we want to say and how we want to say it. That film has been played at Universities and conferences across the country, and from there we began developing the longer form play. Matt, the writer and director, spent 2 years meeting regularly with Carole, Linda, Janet and Lee to form their words into the core stories of the piece. He then met with prison ministers, staff, support workers and prisoners themselves up and down the country to add a wide kaleidoscope of voices and experiences to the script. We then worked with a brilliant creative team to make the play as visually stunning as possible, including the outstanding choreography of Alexzandra Sarmiento.
How would you describe the style of the show?
When I watch it, I feel like I don’t breathe. I feel like my bum doesn’t unclench. It is scored completely through, the movement doesn’t stop and the lighting creates this intense and highly emotive space. As the co-Director of LUNG my job is to oversee the company and support the creatives we work with. It’s been an absolute gift to watch this creative team, all at the top of their game, create something truly extraordinary and unique. And they have managed to create something artistically stunning that continues to make sure the voices of the families remain the loudest thing in the room.
When I watch it, I feel like I don’t breathe. I feel like my bum doesn’t unclench. It is scored completely through, the movement doesn’t stop and the lighting creates this intense and highly emotive space. As the co-Director of LUNG my job is to oversee the company and support the creatives we work with. It’s been an absolute gift to watch this creative team, all at the top of their game, create something truly extraordinary and unique. And they have managed to create something artistically stunning that continues to make sure the voices of the families remain the loudest thing in the room.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Extraordinary. Urgent. Unforgettable.
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| Marina Climent, Miah Robinson and Tyler Brazao. Photo by Alex Powell. |
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
The fringe doesn’t let up. Not only for performers, stage managers but for audiences too! It is easy to get on the treadmill and never get off. My top tip is to have a really good box set that you know you’re going to be binging throughout August. That way, you’ve always got something outside of the Fringe itself that you can turn to for some decompression alone time. Personally, I’m saving up Ludwig!
The fringe doesn’t let up. Not only for performers, stage managers but for audiences too! It is easy to get on the treadmill and never get off. My top tip is to have a really good box set that you know you’re going to be binging throughout August. That way, you’ve always got something outside of the Fringe itself that you can turn to for some decompression alone time. Personally, I’m saving up Ludwig!
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
After coming to the Fringe for years and years, it feels extra special this year to be bringing my new baby with me! I can’t wait to initiate him into his first Edinburgh experience and for the excuse to see some brilliant children’s theatre too.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
For me, Edinburgh is all about the food. I’m vegan and almost don’t want to tell people about Sora Lella (unreal vegan pasta dishes) and sen viet vegan (delicious vegan Thai)!
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
For something funny - Your Choice Amanda Royce. For something circus-y - Afronauts. And for a hot ticket - In Bed With My Brother are bringing back their nuts and truly excellent show We Are Ian, for 3 nights only. Let’s all fight for a ticket.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
My parents took me to sing King Lear when I was 6. I remember thinking it was so cool when those two dudes tied down that other dude and gauged out his eyes! Although I was pretty sure they’d used tomato ketchup.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
We have some very real asks for audiences after they’ve seen the show. All audience members will be getting a little card with a QR code on it, which will take them to our campaign. There is so much power in numbers, and if every person that comes to see the show clicks that link, it will make a huge difference.
Last time we took Woodhill on the road, the prison was put into special measures. We’re full of energy and fight to see what we can do this time. You can make a real difference by coming and joining us.
Where and when can people see your show?
Woodhill is at ZOO Southside, 7 – 30 Aug (not 10, 17 & 24), 14.25 and tours the UK from September. Ticket information here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/woodhill
For full tour dates and further information, visit https://www.lungtheatre.co.uk/productions/woodhill
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| Miah Robinson. Photo by Alex Powell. |
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