The club is considering a PAC project on women in prison so four members went to a performance of Sugar, the musical based on Some Like it Hot (remember Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon?) at HMP Send, near Woking.
Prisoners and prison staff acted, sang and danced alongside a team of professionals. They also contributed to the 101 other things that go to make up a performance – scenery, lighting, costumes, set changes and a host of others.
Pimlico Opera is the company behind the project and they have worked with hundreds of prisoners in the twenty years of their existence. It was a very moving experience to see what had been achieved and the production was one to be proud of.
We Soroptimists talk about making a difference and changing lives – Pimlico Opera certainly does that. In the Programme Notes, one of the cast has written: “I feel like a different person. I have been on drugs for 15 years and two years ago when my Mum died I realised I needed to get clean. I am doing this for her.” Another says: “It has helped me in a lot of ways, it has made my confidence a lot stronger…”
So it was an inspiring evening and one that has made us determined to pursue our project.