Main content

The Actors' Gang

'Shawshank Redemption' star Tim Robbins leads acting classes in LA's Norco Prison. With Rajesh Mirchandani. From 2012.

Just outside of LA in the Californian desert, presenter Rajesh Mirchandani joins 'Shawshank Redemption' star Tim Robbins as he leads acting classes with the segregated inmates from Norco prison. Rajesh witnesses the transformation of inmates, from tough gangsters into respectable men and gains a unique insight into some of America's toughest social challenges.

Rajesh recorded inside the prison with Tim Robbins over a two-month period, gaining unique access not only to Tim but also to the inmates. Tim visibly enjoys cult status among the inmates and quickly gains their trust. He is no stranger to prisons, having played an innocent man convicted of murder in "The Shawshank Redemption" and was nominated for a Best Director Oscar for "Dead Man Walking" - a film about a death row inmate. He formed The Actors' Gang, an acting troupe which runs prison theatre workshops for inmates, having spent time in some of LA's toughest prisons whilst researching both films. With re-offending a more likely scenario once they are out of prison, Robbins believes that more should be done whilst they are inside to help them change their ways.

Robbins' Hollywood master class ranges from Shakespeare to Commedia dell'arte, a style that originated in 16th-century Italy and involves actors in masks playing stock character types. Robbins explains that inmates learn to portray four different emotions: happiness, sadness, fear and anger. One of the inmates whom Rajesh follows over the course is Mike, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence. Mike says, "In the yard, gangs stick to their patch but these classes have helped to make guys see that we don't need to be violent."

Produced in Edinburgh by Kate Bissell

First broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in 2012

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 29 Jul 2022 02:30

Broadcasts

  • Sat 15 Dec 2012 10:30
  • Mon 4 Feb 2013 14:05
  • Mon 11 Feb 2013 00:02
  • Fri 29 Mar 2013 05:30
  • Tue 17 May 2016 13:30
  • Sun 22 May 2016 07:00
  • Mon 29 Jan 2018 06:30
  • Mon 29 Jan 2018 13:30
  • Mon 29 Jan 2018 20:30
  • Tue 30 Jan 2018 01:30
  • Thu 28 Jul 2022 14:30
  • Fri 29 Jul 2022 02:30

Featured in...

Seriously...

Seriously...

Discover more seriously interesting radio documentaries.