‘If Prison Walls Could Speak’ dramatises the true story of Petr Jasek. Petr went to Sudan to evaluate how the church could help and encourage persecuted Sudanese Christians, but just as he was about to leave the country he was arrested and held captive.

The play tells the story of Petr’s time in prison, including his experience of being in a cell with members of Isis. It also draws in stories of other persecuted Christians and the experience of his childhood, growing up as a persecuted Christian in communist Czechoslovakia.

The aim of the performance is to draw attention to the plight of persecuted Christians around the world by giving the audience a small feel of what it is like to be persecuted because of one’s faith. The performance aims to help us to see how God is present even in times of great suffering. One member of the audience said: ‘Despite the amount of time I spent in tears during the play, I left deeply encouraged to support persecuted Christians and much more equipped to do so – I felt that I had a small glimpse of what it looks like to be imprisoned for one’s faith’.

ArtLess, the theatre company behind the production, recommends 11+. A member of our congregation saw the play in summer 2022 (and was so inspired she has brought it to her local church!). However, as a parent, her view is that the play would be suitable for most, but not all, children in the 11 to 14 age group. Although the images aren’t graphic, the script refers to topics such as waterboarding. Please consider how your child would react to the truth that some human beings do horrible things to other people.

Our local Christian bookshop, Oasis, will be running a bookstall before the performance (and also in the interval) including the option to buy Petr Jasek’s book “Imprisoned with Isis”.

With thanks to St Patrick’s Parochial Church Council for supporting this performance. Refunds are not possible (unless you purchase and qualify for the insurance at check out), but you are welcome to pass any unused tickets to someone else to use.