‘Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors’ collaboration with Rideout resource now available

‘Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors’ collaboration with Rideout resource available

We were delighted to be invited by Rideout (Creative Arts for Rehabilitation) to be involved in their Staging Time programme, for the Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors project at HMP Stafford.

The resulting text and music is now available for others to use (see note below on Performing Rights): Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors Book

‘Not Quite the Ritz’ is an example of the music created on the project:

 

Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors was originally devised and performed by men at HMP Stafford. It was the third in a trilogy of performing arts projects produced by Rideout (Creative Arts for Rehabilitation) as part of Staging Time – an exploration of the history of 19th and early 20th century prison with serving prisoners. This was a programme of activity arising from a partnership with the Wellcome Trust funded research programme, Prisoners, Medical Care and Entitlement to Health in England and Ireland 1850 – 2000, led by Professor Hilary Marland (University of Warwick) and Associate Professor Catherine Cox (University College Dublin).

Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors explores the experiences of World War I conscientious objectors, and particularly those who were sent to prison for their beliefs. Furthermore, it celebrates the role the objectors played in the prison reforms of the early part of the 20th century.

Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors was co-facilitated by professional artists from Rideout and the Irene Taylor Trust who worked with a group of 20 prisoners for two weeks to devise and rehearse the work. The final performance, conceived as a ‘secular service’, was performed to an invited audience at HMP Stafford on 14 November 2019.

We had always intended to make the songs available for others to perform, but a number of audience members lamented the fact that a performance about such an important part of prison history was only seen by a small number of people. As a result we made the decision to make the whole piece available, text and songs (here).

Performing Rights

Rideout (Creative Arts for Rehabilitation) and Irene Taylor Trust grant a non exclusive license to amateur choirs and/or groups to perform this work free of charge, on the condition that you inform them of your intention to do so. This right is solely for amateur choir and/or groups. For all other performances, a fee will be payable.

In both instances contact admin@rideout.org.uk for further information.

Supported by

Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors was commissioned by the University of Warwick and funded by the Wellcome Trust as part of Prisoners, Medical Care and Entitlement to Health in England and Ireland 1850-2000, with additional funding from Arts Council England, HMP Stafford, the University of Warwick, the W.E.D Trust, the Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust and Thomas Deane Trust.