Photos/Videography: Giovanni Edwards
Writer: Molly Taylor
Director: El Henderson, Jason York
Set, Costume, Prop Designer: Lauren Connolly
Producer: Katie Sherrard
Musicians – The Irene Taylor Trust with Rob Willson and Emma Doherty
Kestrel Theatre Company, Springhill Prison, Edgcott
Devised and performed by residents of Springhill Prison as actors, musicians and stage management.

Wizzo’s First Christmas was a pantomime devised, acted, and musically performed by a group of men at HMP Springhill in December 2023. Led by a creative team of co-directors El Henderson and Jason York, writer Molly Taylor, Producer Katie Sherrard and designer Lauren Connolly, the group worked together for four weeks to create a show for families from scratch.

Following the story of Wizzo – the son and grandson of Turkey Farmers – and his experience of Christmases long forgot.  He stumbles upon an old lamp and a genie inside who has stopped using his magic.  The two embark on a quest to bring back Christmas, with many characters and obstacles to overcome on the way to Santa’s closed workshop.  Wizzo learns how to create his own spells, finds the source of Christmas, and completes their quest with a magical wish.

In collaboration with the Irene Taylor Trust, they performed four times to different audiences, including their own children, families, other residents, officers and other industry guests.