Review: CELL OUTS, Town and Gown Theatre Cambridge

Currently playing at the Town and Gown in Cambridge, and written and performed by ex-prison officers Harriet Troup and Ella Church, Cell Outs offers an insightful look into what a prison officer’s life is like. 

Whilst billed as a dark comedy, it feels a lot more like an auto-biographical piece about the pair. There are some aspects of dark humour but on the whole, it feels much more shocking and profound. 

Church and Troup have crafted an excellent piece of theatre here. The storytelling is exceptional, never dwelling on a part long enough for it to become strained, but spending enough time so that each aspect feels properly explored and not rushed. 

The start does feel a little disjointed but once you settle into the style of theatre used, it flows nicely. Troup and Church are wonderful, and the fact that they can draw on the real-life emotion and show that in their acting greatly enhances their performances.

The costumes are simple using their prison uniforms, plus or minus other items of clothing to differentiate between the settings. There are a few changes that take a little longer and leave the audience waiting but this isn’t to the detriment of the piece. 

With the backdrop of voice-overs from fellow prison guards, this is a compelling piece of theatre that we feel is particularly eye-opening to areas of the law that are not very often explored. 

It is definitely worth getting tickets to watch this performance. 

It is advised for viewing for those over the age of 18 due to language used and topics explored within the piece and it does come with a trigger warning as no subject is off-limits. It is honest and truthful portrayal of how these things are experienced in prison.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Emma Rooney

Cell Outs plays at the Town and Gown until 26 May before continuing its tour, with tickets available here.