The Stage

The Container scoops Freedom of Expression Award

Published Tuesday 28 August 2007 at 15:45 by Lalayn Baluch

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Amnesty International and Big Issue Scotland have announced the winner of their 2007 Freedom of Expression Award.

The Container, written by Clare Bayley, was singled out as the production that made significant contribution to public awareness and understanding of human rights issues, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The play deals with asylum, racial and religious persecution, and is staged in an actual container lorry, with the audiences shut inside the enclosed space for the performance.

It was produced by Nimble Fish in association with Underbelly Productions, with the support from Arts Council England’s Escalator East to Edinburgh programme and Creative Partnerships Thames Gateway.

The award was established by Amnesty International in 2001, and was relaunched this year in partnership with the Big Issue in Scotland.

Other shortlisted shows were Rash by Jenni Wolfson, As the Mother of a Brown Boy by Chickenshed, Truth in Translation by Michael Lessac, and Superpatriots and Morons by Rooftop Productions.