PRISONERS IN PLAY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29829, 23 May 1962, Page 18

PRISONERS IN PLAY

Competition Success IN.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MELBOURNE, May 21. ’ Prisoners from Bendigo training prison have won first prize in the drama section of the Bendigo Cultural Society's annual festival. They presented "The Valiant,” the story' of a young murderer who is about to be executed, and wants to shield the fact from his mother. The one-act play is set in a gaol. Spectators who saw the competition on Saturday night said many people in the audience were almost brought to tears with the quality of the acting. It is the first time Australian prisoners have appeared in a dramatic competition. The prison governor! Mr L. Grindlay) said today the prisoners were taken to the theatre dressed in civilian clothes by three warders and himself. “Most people would not have had an idea who thev were,” he said. “Two prisoners who acted as sceneshifters were also in the group. Ail the scenery was made in the gaol. Our group has previously staged plays around Bendigo, and has raised £l5OO for charity but this is the first time we have been in a competition. “The prisoners appeared on the programme under their Christian names only.”