A Yorkshire-founded theatre company is bringing a production exploring deaths in custody and the experiences of bereaved families to Leeds Playhouse next month.
Woodhill, created by Barnsley-founded theatre company LUNG, will be performed at the Courtyard Theatre on 24 and 25 November.
The production examines the deaths of three men at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes through the accounts of their families, who have sought answers about what happened to their loved ones.
Combining verbatim testimony with dance and choreography, the production explores concerns about prison safety, institutional accountability and the treatment of people in custody.
HMP Woodhill has faced scrutiny over safety and the treatment of prisoners. In March 2026, the prison received a second urgent notification in three years, prompting the Ministry of Justice to introduce further safety and security measures, according to LUNG.
The production was developed with the families of the men who died and has evolved into a wider campaign calling for greater accountability following deaths in custody.
The families said:
Our boys needed help, not punishment. They were given a prison sentence that turned into a death sentence. There is a crisis unfolding in our prisons.
They said they wanted to take their experiences across the country and ensure their concerns were heard.
Matt Woodhead, co-director of LUNG, said the continuing levels of self-harm in the adult male prison estate raised serious questions about the safety of prisoners.
Helen Monks, the company’s co-director, said the production had developed from a tribute to those who had died at HMP Woodhill into a call for accountability.
LUNG was founded in Barnsley in 2014 and produces documentary theatre based on real-life accounts, with an emphasis on bringing hidden stories to public attention.
Performance details
Production: * Woodhill*
Dates: 24–25 November 2026
Venue: Courtyard Theatre, Leeds Playhouse
Age guidance: 16+
Running time: Approximately 85 minutes
Tickets: Available through the Leeds Playhouse website.
The production contains distressing themes, including references to suicide, self-harm, violence and addiction.