SOLITARY
By Duane Cooper and Blake Habermann. Directed by Blake Habermann
Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Assembly Rooms. Scotland. 8/1 - 8/23 2019
At any given time, there are between sixty and eighty thousand people facing solitary confinement in the United States prison system. Since the 19th century, penal isolation has been medically demonstrated to effect permanent psychological consequences. Nearly 80% of these prisoners will eventually be released back into society. As the US begins to recognize the problem of mass incarceration, we are still faced with the problem of mass re-integration, and ultimately the question of the prison’s purpose: rehabilitation or punishment?
Solitary recounts the mental and physical degradation of the experience, following one man’s descent into memory and madness using ensemble, Lecoq based techniques and classically trained Juilliard musicians. It humanizes the psychosocial reality of what the system calls “special housing” and inmates call “the box”, including the scars former prisoners carry back into the world. Drawing on extensive research, testimonials, medical documents and interviews, the piece pulls the audience into this isolated world, only to ask: what happens when the door opens?
“★★★★★ Solitary stands as a powerful indictment of a prison system… made compelling by the beauty and compassion with which it is told. It’s an uncompromising piece of theatre that makes visible what has long been shut away.”
“★★★★★ Genius... Cooper does sterling work... it’s impossible not to connect and relate with this man.”
“★★★★½ [A] physical theatre masterpiece. ”
SOLITARY
Created by Duane Cooper and Blake Haberman. Directed by Blake Habermann
Original Music by Jack McGuire. Vocals by Joan Hofmeyr
Featuring Julia Cavagna, Duane Cooper, Joan Hofmeyr, Jack McGuire, Levi Morger, Malcolm Opoku, and Vanessa Vaché
Stage Manager: Allison Raynes. Lighting Designer: Sarah Johnston. Audio Technician: Asa Wember