From: Sally Jones. Producer The New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich
Date: Thu, 18 Sept 2025 at 21:16
Subject: Big thank you
I just wanted to reach out to say a huge thank you to you, the company, Danusia and everyone involved in the production of Penned Up. I really hope that the company had a good time whilst they were with us. I know that it’s still very early on in the tour and moving from venue to venue can be somewhat disorientating, but they all did such a great job and the feedback has been excellent. I’m forwarding an email below that we received after yesterday’s matinee and I thought it important to share it with you all. It speaks for itself but reflects the views of many that were shared with our FOH team and Box Office Staff.
Please also pass on a special thanks from me to Danusia for joining us for the Post Show Talk. Her generosity and warmth were clearly felt by everyone in the room. Until next time.
Sally
p.s. I also wanted to share that a friend of mine who saw the show in Greenwich messaged me to say: 'Just wanted to say we went to see Penned Up and absolutely loved it! Such a great piece and very funny, even my 12 year old (nearly 13) was wetting herself in places. Frankie was particularly hilarious. Anyway just wanted to say well done to you and the cast and hope the rest of the tour goes well'
17 September 2025 22:03
Subject: your excellent production 'Penned Up'
I came to see this excellent production this afternoon. The play was funny, poignant and informative and got across its messages beautifully. I have just retired from a job of 24 years as an Adult Basic skills teacher, although not in the context you demonstrated ( I worked with parents in primary schools). However, there were many similarities in the learners; many issues a product of poor self-esteem, a family history of lack of aspiration and little encouragement, learners with dyslexia and other difficulties that had never been addressed.
The teacher portrayed in this was the tutor I always wanted to be! The scene where she was emotional over the things written in her card rang very true to me! Congratulations to the writer and the cast. I hope this play helps to get the message out there about second chances at education, the value of the individual and their thoughts and the uselessness of a purely punitive system. Well done! Thank you for all that you do.
Kind regards
Eileen S New Wolsey Theatre Relationship Team.
Dear Danusia
My name is Anna, and I’m a 26-year-old actress based in London. I recently saw Penned Up with a friend from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and I just wanted to congratulate you on such a powerful and beautifully written piece.
We briefly spoke to you after the show, and you kindly encouraged me to write to the theatre—which I’ve done—in the hope that the play will continue its run and reach a wider audience. It’s such an important story, and it clearly had a deep impact on everyone in the room.
I think you’re an incredible playwright and director, here is a copy of my letter to the Arcola.
Dear Arcola Theatre
I had the privilege of watching Penned Up with my friends from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama the other day, and I wanted to take a moment to share just how deeply it moved us.
The play is one of the most touching and powerful pieces I have ever seen. It tells a beautiful and important story—one that absolutely needs to be told. It’s heartwarming, funny, poignant, and heartbreaking all at once. More than anything, it humanises those who are often overlooked, showing us that people in prison are just that: people. Many of them have lived incredibly difficult lives, and this production does a remarkable job of portraying that with honesty and compassion.
When we left the theatre, many in the audience were visibly emotional—some even in tears. It was clear how much the actors and their performances resonated with everyone in the room.
I truly believe Penned Up deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. I would love to encourage the 2,000 students at our school to see it, and I think it would be a real shame if the play didn’t get the chance to continue its run.
It has the power to change perspectives, and I think we need more theatre like this in the world.
With sincere thanks,
Anna
From: David H
Date: Fri, 12 Sept 2025, 17:43
Subject: Penned Up
I saw the play at the Theatre Royal in Bury St. Edmunds on 11th September. I really knew nothing about the play and went with an open mind. It didn't take long to understand the theme and to get to know the plot and the characters. It was great right from the start. I am a retired police officer who spent a number of years as a custody officer at a busy station. This was obviously not a prison but was very similar in the way it catered for detained persons. What struck me throughout the play was that I could put real names in my head to all the characters.
My wife despairs when we watch police based programmes on TV as I constantly criticise them for inaccuracies. This didn't happen at all in this play. The writer clearly has either experience of engaging with offenders or has done the required research. What they put across was the realisation that they are human beings first, whatever offences they have committed. They all have different personalities that react well to people who will listen to them and who show patience and encouragement. These methods helped me massively to cope with prisoners I had to manage in my role. My custody office saw anger, fear, emotions, frustrations, pleas for help and more. There was often humour too. All of that was evident in this play and was acted so well by all the actors. I was laughing at times, totally engrossed and emotionally aware of the issues each character showed. At the end, I was almost in tears too.
I can only congratulate the actors, writer, director and any other people involved in making this play happen. I am not a professional critic but I hope you accept my honest appraisal of this play. The role of teacher that Rebecca Peyton played was superb and served to hold the whole thing together. I honestly could watch this play again tomorrow and I hope it gets all the success it deserves.
Yours most sincerely
David
I hope you are well and had a wonderful weekend. I had the pleasure of watching your play ‘Penned Up’ on Saturday night and was incredibly moved. I used to teach in a prison in Massachusetts when I attended university in Boston. Your play perfectly evoked the setting of a classroom inside a carceral state, the behaviors of each character so vividly reminded me of the dynamics inside, and the message of restorative justice was deeply felt. So a massive THANK YOU for bringing these important themes and life experiences to a wider audience and for representing so many people's stories inside.
Kind regards,
Sophia C
“I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed a performance of your play 'PennedUp' at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich this week. It was such a joy to see a humorous but thought provoking drama without having to travel to London. The Hall Company certainly did justice to the script and were word perfect throughout. The level of F words was acceptable given the prison setting. FYI there was a large group of older teenagers in the audience and it was clear and encouraging to see that they were totally engaged throughout the performance. I have been doing my best to promote the play as a 'must see' as I think it would be sad to miss. I look forward to seeing more of your work if the opportunities arises. Congratulations once again on a great play.”
Jan D
Hadleigh
Dear Company, Just wish to express my gratitude to you. To have created and performed 'Penned Up' such truthful show. The experience felt so lively and connected.
Thank you and wishing you all all the best.
Stephan
Do you have any further plans for this wonderful play…to be used/adopted to raise public and policy maker awareness and perhaps as a series of teaching/training aid..etc..the matinee performance in Islington yesterday moved and inspired me, a youth justice volunteer mentor, in so many ways ..
thank you.
G.H
Hi, Just seen this hard hitting play. Can’t believe it is only on tonight! Wanted so many people to see this!! Such a shame!!!
Kind Regards
S.H.