We use drama and theatre to encourage self-awareness and to assist individuals in exploring the idea of change and the impact that change may have on their lives. Within this framework we consider the connections between personal behaviour, choice and responsibility and broader social, economic and political factors.

"The prisoners have gone away from the visit full of determination to continue the work they have done in addressing their offending behaviour. This determination appears genuine, as the prisoners have been able to evidence their learning in sessions subsequent to the visit."
E Chapman Deputy Governor HMP Peterhead

Our theatre functions as a catalyst. Through fictional performance we mirror situations and behaviours and model possible alternatives as a spur to discussion and debate. In addition, through dynamic, participatory drama techniques we facilitate the active exploration of changing behaviours and the rehearsing of new skills and strategies. Our groupwork practice takes a cognitive-behavioural approach and we also give particular attention to the development of theatre techniques and metaphors, such as masks, which give equal emphasis to behaviour, thoughts and feelings.

"Audience and participants enjoyed the performance and workshops – they concentrated and never lost interest. It helped them build relationships with each other. Staff haven’t seen the lads that involved in any project so far. It raised many important issues that made them think. Fantastic relationship achieved between performers and inmates."
Drug Team, HMYOI Onley

Mask is the central metaphor in our work and we use both full face and half masks as theatrical tools. We talk about the mask or front that individuals use when dealing with the outside world.

We work with the notion that we all wear masks, all the time, some habitually, some self-consciously. In performances and workshops, audiences are invited to ask characters to "lift their mask" and can question them about the thoughts and feelings that inform their apparent attitude or behaviour. It is a technique that enables us to explore the distinctions between external, evident behaviour and internal experience.

Our "Fragment Masks", which represent a range of behaviours, are perhaps our best known set of masks. They enable us to explore how and why destructive coping strategies may have become fixed and to explore the possibility of changing them.

Geese Theatre's masks are created by Sally Brookes.

"The masks were incredible. I've never seen anything like it before. I see them in prison all the time"
Prisoner, HMP Maidstone

"The masks really played on my mind a lot. In a very good way... Especially with lifting the mask. It is something I'll take with me for the rest of my life."
Participant on Reconnect - HMP Morton Hall