In Prison
Bronzefield Highlights March 2026
Whilst every performance in a prison is very moving, the two performances in the smaller and intimate Visits Hall made for a very special experience. Here is a letter from one of the prisoners who took part.
Maria von Trapp said, “Music acts like the magic key to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” Our prison programme is the magic key which opens the hearts and souls of prisoners. It is transformative and gives them the self esteem, confidence and feeling of self worth that is necessary to break the chain of continual reoffending.
Prison strips prisoners of their freedom and self confidence; esteem is blown away. There are many prison charities with wonderful programmes from education to work opportunities on release. But there is nothing to emulate Pimlico Opera’s programme, which finds hidden talents through music, song and dance and gives prisoners the confidence to perform in front of the general public. It has been running for nearly 40 years, supported by contributions from individuals and Trusts.
“My wife Joyce and I have supported the programme for over 25 years attending nearly every prison production in that time. The impact amongst the participating prisoners and others involved in the productions has been extremely moving and sheer joy to see. This transformative programme can only succeed with both the active participation of enlightened prison governors and members of the public with their support and financial contributions. I hope Wasfi Kani is successful in her fundraising because prisoners’ lives and futures are truly at stake.”
Sir Gerald Acher
Hello Dolly! 3-7 March 2027
Bronzefield Prison
SAVE THE DATE for our 28th large-scale joint production with prisoners.
After a month of full-time rehearsal, prisoners perform alongside professionals with a live orchestra. We transform the gym into a theatre.
Support
The prison programme relies on the generosity of trusts and individuals.
There is no public subsidy.
Please donate by joining one of these:
Our prison programme
Since 1989 more than 60,000 members of the public have been taken into prison by Pimlico Opera and more than 1,000 prisoners have been involved. The company has given crucial first employment to prisoners on their release. Over 10,000 prisoners have seen a performance.
We continue to work in Europe’s largest female prison, HMP Bronzefield near Heathrow Airport.
There are three parts to the programme:
- weekly classes are the backbone of the programme
- public intimate showcases in the Visits Hall
- the spectacular bonanza performances in the Gym (which is transformed into a theatre)
At all stages there are significant improvements, both in the way prisoners view themselves and are viewed by others. Confidence, energy, teamwork, and positive thinking all contribute to rehabilitation and social integration.
HMP Bronzefield is one of only 13 UK women’s prisons. A woman in prison is often a long way from her family and her children often taken into care. Bronzefield has a mother & baby unit for 12 women and 13 babies up to the age of 18 months. The prison is operated by Sodexo Justice Services who recognise the need for regular purposeful activity and collaborate in bringing about Pimlico Opera’s prison programme.
A letter from a prisoner
BBC doc about Pimlico Opera
Guys, Dolls, & D wing (1993) was nominated for a BAFTA
Did you know?
27% of the prison population were in care. Of the under 25s, 50% were in care.
45% of adults are re-convicted within a year of release but 97% express a desire to stop offending.
Of the 85k people in prison today, around 4k are women. There are very few women’s prisons, so an offender is often a long way from her family and her children are often taken into care.
Prisoner testimonials
There is powerful evidence for the benefit that this work has to society, the public purse and the wider economy. Improvements in prisoner rehabilitation and the lowering of re-offending can only be a good thing.
“Taking part in Pimlico Opera has been life changing”.
“Since doing the project I have gained so much self worth and confidence”.
“The project has allowed me the opportunity to invest my excess energy into something both positive and productive”.
Made in Dagenham supporters
The project is funded entirely by generous individuals and charitable trusts. It is not funded by the government.
TRUSTS
Michael Bishop Foundation
Capital Group
The Linbury Trust
Ingram Trust
Mackintosh Foundation
Childwick Trust
Dischma Charitable Trust
De Laszlo Foundation
Andrew Sutton Trust
Brewster Maude Charitable Trust
EHB Trust
The Tansy Trust
Mageni Trust
Noel Buxton Trust
The Foxley Trust
HOUSE OF LORDS
Mr & Mrs Jonathan Boyes
Mark & Rosemary Carawan
Dr Roger Donbavand
Amanda Leathers
Ruth Markland
James & Sarah Sassoon
Hugh & Catherine Stevenson
The Tschanz family in memory of Stephen Gotsztony
HOME SECRETARIES
John Derrick & Preben Oeye
Ray & Vida Godson
Ian & Clare Maurice
Mr George Meagher
Mr John C Pearson
Ali Smith
Fiona Squire
JUDGES
Sir Gerald & Lady Acher
Mr Jasper Barnes
Mrs Margaret Bolam
Bill Bougourd & Judith Thomas
Marie & Etienne Deshormes
Audrey & Stephen Hofmeyr
Mr & Mrs Joshua
William & Felicity Mather
Lady Parker
Ed & Sarah Peppiatt
The Percy family
Viv & Nigel Robson
Victoria & John Salkeld
John & Maxine Samuels
Carolyn Saunders & Richard Ford
Richard & Helen Sheldon
David & Margaret Walker
GOVERNORS
Christopher & Molly Beazley
Mr & Mrs Boothby
Riccardo Calzavara
Mr Austin Erwin
Alastair Gillies
Will & Janine Hillary
Sophie & Guy Holborn
Madi & David Laurence
Sarah & David Melville
Nina & Gary Moss
Sara Nathan & Malcolm Singer
Mr Cedric Pierce
Katherine & Dominic Powell
David Stanton
Maria & Julian Sturdy-Morton
John & Carol Wates
Peter & Tessa Watkins
Tom & Elaine Yeo
and two anonymous donors
JAILBIRDS
Abu Khamis
Charles & Rhona Atterton
Stephanie Bamford &
Dr Mark Wilkinson
Yuki & Tom Beardmore-Gray
Lorraine Bell
Francis Carpenter
Sue Clark
Tom Clementi
Eleanor Cranmer & Nick Thomas
Ms Julie Devonshire
Philippa Drew
Mrs Claire Durtnall
Mr Campbell Edgar
Dr Julia Ellis
Leila Ettehadieh
Ismay Forsyth
Nigel & Bernie Foster
Alex Freeman
In memory of Glenys
Dr Rosalind Given-Wilson &
Prof Paul Collinson
Michael Gordon
Ms Angela Hakim
Alastair & Vanessa Hammerton
Richard Hanson-James
Mr Andrew Hine
Clare Hoskins
Marion Howells
Alister La Bella
Jenny & Mike Lavin
Charles & Sue Marshall
Alison & Chris Mason
Mrs Sarah Matthews
Eloy & Letitia Michotte
Martin & Marion Motz
Isabella Murray
Kathy Mylrea
Pamela & Bruce Noble
Ms C C Paddock
Judy Perry
Jan & Mike Potter
Sabine Preston
Mr & Mrs G Pye
Michael Ross & Jennifer Kelly
The Scoones Family
Mark & Louise Seligman
David & Jane Shalders
Mr Ashley V Silverton
Mr & Mrs Teague
Paul & Wendy Tobia
Miss Mave Turner
In memory of Johnny Veeder QC
Sue Waldman
Lady Walker
Justine Wall
Gabrielle de Wardener
Katie & Christian Wells
and five anonymous donors