London Shakespeare Workout LSW Prison Project

Luppings

TOUCHSTONE

When a man’s verses cannot be understood, nor a 

man’s good wit seconded with the forward child
Understanding, it strikes a man more dead than a
great reckoning in a little room.  Truly I would
the gods had made thee poetical.

 

As You Like It, III, iii

Having created the word LUP (‘to bring disparate bodies together in hope’) in 2017 in celebration of the London Shakespeare Workout (LSW)’s 20th anniversary, we now share with you a collection of LUPPINGS (‘acts of literate good faith’), a series of verses written inside and given in honour – and via the inspiration – of the Bard himself. 

 

As these go forward we pray these links might grant meaningful succour not only to the family / friends of the poets / LUPPERS (‘people who give back through verse’) but also aid as a practical tool to promote confidence when viewed by potential future employers / residential landlords upon their release. Why?  ‘Cos we all need something to help set us apart.

 

We are most grateful to the noted performers and, where apt, rising film makers who have voluntarily joined together to see these aims realised. We earnestly thank you for helping to dramatically advocate by virtue of the dedicated sense of ‘community’ so profoundly lionised throughout Shakespeare’s canon. 


You ‘ARE such stuff as DREAMS are made ON’.

Why Shakespeare?

Text by Darren


Performed by

Sir Ian McKellen


Film by

Sir Ian McKellen

 

Chosen Line / Lupping Inspiration:  This is an original sonnet written by an HMP Brixton prisoner during an LSW session in answer to the question ‘Why Shakespeare?’.  I know of no finer response.  

 

 

Replete

Text by Peter


Performed by

Alfred Enoch


Film by

Alfred Enoch

Chosen Line / Lupping Inspiration:  At the end of one LSW session at HMP Woodhill, Peter, a prisoner, placed a scrunched-up piece of paper in my palm whispering:  ‘Tell me if it’s any good’.  I was frightened that he might be passing on drugs.  I didn’t open my palm (out of fear more than anything else) until I was on the train back to London.  This verse – written at some point during that session – is what I found.  I thought it excellent.

 


A Mother Smiles

Text by Clare

Performed by

Juliet Stevenson

Film by

Jamie Riordan

Chosen Line / Lupping Inspiration: This is an original verse written in an LSW session focusing on mother / daughter relationships such as are  featured in Lorca’s ‘The House of Bernada Alba’.   

 


Ruby Reservoirs

Text by Simon & Glynn

Performed by

Dame Harriet Walter

Film by

Dame Harriet Walter

Chosen Line / Lupping Inspiration: Two prisoners in two different UK prison sessions each write a verse – with a first line by Shakespeare – in under five minutes.  Both champion the heart in their iambic.    

 

Luppings - London Shakespeare Workout LSW Prison Project

For more information on
Sir Ian McKellen please click here.
Alfred Enoch please click here.
Dame Harriet Walter please click here.
Juliet Stevenson please click here.
Jamie Riordan please click here.