Set in the years following the Strangeways Prison Riot, meet recovering addict Frankie, played by renowned political comedian Mark Thomas as he enters the brave new world of a liberal prison experiment. None of Frankie’s fellow convicts are what they seem. In the most unexpected of places he discovers that the revolution is not dead, it’s just sleeping. 

Paines Plough, Live Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Ellie Keel Productions in association with Synergy Theatre Project presents a brand new play from the writer of the Fringe First winning England & Son and A Political History of Smack & Crack, Ed Edwards reunites with Mark Thomas to tell a tale of freedom, revolution and messy love. Directed by Paines Plough’s Joint Artistic Director, Charlotte Bennett.

Ed Edwards is an ex-offender and multi-award winning playwright. Ed wrote his first novel while awaiting trial on drugs charges. Ed’s play The Political History of Smack and Crack was a finalist at the Theatre503 Playwriting competition, appearing at Paines Plough’s Roundabout at Edinburgh Fringe and went on to tour nationally. His last play England & Son – written specifically for the comedian and activist Mark Thomas – also performed at Roundabout and won multiple awards, including a Fringe First and an Offie then transferred to Adelaide Theatre festival where it also won Best Theatre award. Ed is currently Writer on Attachment at the National Theatre.

Mark Thomas is a comedian who has been performing for 35 years. How to describe his work? A mix of standup, theatre, journalism and the odd bout of performance art. He has won 8 awards for performing, 3 for human rights work and 1 he invented for himself. He once whilst performing at Battersea Arts Centre made baclava and brought it in for the audience, whilst this tour merely sees him doing porridge, but how palatable will he find it?

For full details of where “Ordinary Decent Criminal” can be seen, including the Edinburgh Fringe

please check out the Paines Plough website.