NEWS: One Off @ Live Theatre

One Off is based on the turbulent life story of North East writer and actor Ric Renton. Renton relives his time in prison through his writing and performing. He’ll never forget his time in prison as DV7786, but now he’s found a way to use that experience to demonstrate to audiences that change is possible.

Live Theatre has become a platform for artists to tell their most personal and political stories, and this world premiere of Ric’s story, taking place from Thursday 10^th-Saturday 26^th November, is one of the most astonishing new voices audiences will hear this year. Born in Denton Burn, Ric Renton’s troubled upbringing led to him spending his young adulthood in prison. Whilst in HMP Durham, he learned to read and crucially to write. This is his story.

“One Off was all the dignity afforded to those who could take no more. No names. Not even their number. One off,” states prisoner DV7786, who recognises that he too may easily have just been another One Off. Renton’s written this play for all the dead boys, and for night watchman Jock, who, without his invisible, persistent presence in those corridors, he might not still be here to speak his truth.

Audiences will be introduced to three young men Knox, Brown and Shepherd, who are passing their time in a prison with the highest suicide rate in the country. They’re energised by their friendship but haunted by the repeated pronouncements of another life lost. The arrival of a nightwatchman, Jock, is what Shepherd needs to find an unexpected way through the darkness.

Expect emotion blended with high energy and the blackest humour.

One Off is performed at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Thursday 10^th-Saturday 26^th November.