The Jail has begun its search for budding actors as the Inveraray Jail School Competition gets underway.
The prison matron and one of the jail’s prisoners will escape for five days across the next two weeks to embark on an exciting school roadshow. The two jail guides, who will also be judging the competition, are searching for six lucky pupils who will win the chance to play the part of a child prisoner for one afternoon this summer at the Jail.
Participating pupils have been rehearsing monologues for the past few weeks which they will perform in front of the Inveraray Jail judges. Pupils have the choice to audition as 11 year old Duncan McColl, who is facing the judges for stealing an apple from a market stall, or as a 10 year old girl and prisoner describing her experiences of being refined to a dark, damp and cold prison cell.
11 schools across Argyll are taking part including Ardrishaig Primary, Kilcreggan Primary (Dunbartonshire), Drumlemble and Castlehill Primary (Campbeltown), Strachur Primary, Dunoon Primary, Furnace & Minard Primary (by Inveraray), Ashfield (Achnamara), Lochnell Primary (Connel) and Kilchrenan Primary (Taynuilt). Over 130 pupils are expected to audition.
Before the auditions, the prison matron and her prisoner will perform a sketch for the school pupils, giving an insight into a typical day in the life of a 19th century prisoner.
As well as a fun acting role in the summer, the six winners will also win Inveraray Jail goodies for their class. Winners will be announced Monday 7th June.
Gavin Dick, Prison Governor for Inveraray Jail said: “We are excited to be working with local schools. It will be a really fun way for pupils to learn more about their local history. Children as young as seven served sentences at Inveraray Jail in the 19th century for being naughty, so pupils will need to be on best behaviour!”
He added: “We would like to wish all the pupils who are auditioning the very best of luck and we look forward to welcoming our winners to the jail this summer.”
