Only Connect believes that the performing arts - and theatre in particular - have the potential to transform lives and help heal families and communities. When someone acts you see their soul: drama brings truth up from the depths and creates honesty and empathy in social relationships.
"Ain't saying I'm the best actor out there - I know I'm not - but I also know that acting, by showing me how to feel, also showed me I hadn't been feeling at all. You can't sell dope all day and still feel. You can't kill niggas and still feel. You just can't."
Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, former prisoner and star of US TV show The Wire
Our venue
32 Cubitt Street, between Kings Cross and Holborn, is a restored former Baptist church with seating for 220 in the main hall and balcony. The hall measures 13m x 11.5m (42' x 37'). It has an upright piano, a Bose audio system and sound desk, an adaptable Steeldeck stage, wooden floors and wall mirrors. Downstairs at Cubitt Street is a large studio space and a full catering kitchen.
Cubitt Street is available for rehearsals, auditions, recitals, film shoots and private parties. Click here for photographs and further information.
Theatre
Only Connect produces full-stage theatre productions in London prisons and at our venue in WC1, starring prisoners and ex-offenders. Since 2006 we have produced August Wilson's Jitney and John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men in HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias in HMP Holloway, and John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath at our venue.
In summer and autumn 2008 Only Connect commissioned David Watson to write two plays for performance by the company. Any Which Way, about the causes and consequences of knife crime, was performed by nine members to 4,000 secondary school students in June (read more here). Coming Out From The Cold, about the experience of leaving prison, was performed by 16 members at the Only Connect theatre in September (read more here).
In November 2008 Only Connect and Joanna Morgan Productions stages a public run of Any Which Way. To read more and book tickets click here.
Music and Video
Only Connect is developing its Cubitt Street base as a centre for music and video production. We already have the capacity for our members to mix and record their own music tracks and star in video documentaries; we aim to create a full music and video studio in 2009.
Corporate social responsibility
Only Connect produces CSR days for City professionals to work with ex-offenders on theatre projects. Putting these groups together in a rehearsal room creates meaningful and creative relationships, builds common understanding and generates totally unexpected conversations.