Harriet Walter and Jonathan Bate join festival to support those leaving criminal justice system into the arts

Harriet Walter and Jonathan Bate will take part in a festival in Aldeburgh this May aimed at supporting people leaving the criminal justice system into theatre careers.

Mad About Shakespeare will run from 29 to 31 May at Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall and Aldeburgh Cinema, bringing together figures from theatre, literature and film including Harriet Walter, Jonathan Bate, Mark Lockyer, Stefan Bednarczyk and Colin Hurley. The weekend has been curated by theatre director Nick Hutchison and will raise funds for Second Stage, a charity that provides training, support and employment opportunities in theatre and live events for people leaving prison.

Ahead of the festival, Second Stage is partnering with Regeneration Theatre on a training course at HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk. The programme will work with up to 15 men using the text and themes of Hamlet, teaching technical theatre skills and preparing participants for employment after release, with some receiving on-site training while on temporary licence.

In January 2026, the organisation held an Industry Awareness Day at the National Theatre. Contributors included James Timpson, Rosie Brown, Kate Varah, prison governor Emily Thomas and Second Stage ambassador Michael Balogun, alongside a seminar from Offploy on adapting workplaces for employees with criminal records. The event was attended by representatives from West End and regional theatres as well as technical companies.

Since launching in early 2025, Second Stage has worked with 65 men and supported six into employment, including two full-time roles and four crewing positions.

The charity was formed following a 2024 SOLT and UK Theatre survey identifying a shortage of backstage staff across the industry. It aims to address reoffending rates, barriers to employment for people with criminal records and skills shortages in theatre and live entertainment.

The idea was developed by producer Edward Snape with Jo Hutchison, who now serves as executive director. Snape sits on the board of trustees alongside Colin Howes, Emily Thomas and Kash Bennett.

The festival programme will include a performance of Lear’s Shadow, an adaptation of King Lear devised and performed by Hurley. Bate will discuss his book Mad About Shakespeare, while Aldeburgh Cinema will screen the 1999 film of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with an introduction by director Michael Hoffman.

Regeneration Theatre will present The Play’s The Thing, a one-person version of Hamlet performed by Lockyer and directed by Fiona Laird. Walter will perform passages from her book She Speaks – What Shakespeare’s Women Might Have Said. Bednarczyk will present a cabaret event featuring songs inspired by Shakespeare.

Tickets are on sale for individual events and as a full festival pass.