Mickey B is our first feature film and a world first – we were the first people ever to make a feature film within a maximum security jail, with serving prisoners as cast. The result was Mickey B, a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, capturing the themes of ambition, betrayal, murder and revenge – themes that one prisoner said “are played out every day in here”.
A PRISON ADAPTATION OF MACBETH
MICKEY B
The film was shot in HMP Maghaberry with prisoners taking on acting, set building, continuity, and helping with sound, production – even make up.
Mickey B was also the basis for an in-depth educational resource called Unlocking Shakespeare, funded by the Arts Council of NI. The resource is designed to engage young people in creative learning, especially those who are switched off from education and learning. It is designed to meet the requirements of the Northern Irish CCEA Drama KS3 Learning Outcomes but is also relevant to other curricula including English and Media Studies.
“Stunning Shakespeare forged from the scrapheap of society.”
“You have helped prisoners be better citizens, transforming themselves and society around them.”
“A strong and imaginatively conceived film... the actors are remarkable and the Northern Irish voices are very powerful.”
“Wow, I am impressed... ambitious and difficult in all the right ways and for all the right reasons.”
“Ground breaking work... gritty, imaginative, with a real visceral kick.”
“A powerful, intriguing piece of drama.”
“An important work that speaks eloquently.”
“It was chilling... fantastic work. It makes you think again about Shakespeare.”
Mickey B is now available to watch online – rent or buy below.
Press play for the trailer, or click on the price to rent or buy the full film. Alternatively, you can buy a DVD copy, with behind the scenes documentary and additional features, in our store. Rated 15.
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2007
Jennifer Marquis-Muradaz
Tom Magill
Tom Magill, Sam McClean, Jason Thompson
Angus Mitchell
Dean Hagan
Simon Wood
AWARDS
Mickey B was the winner of the prestigious Roger Graef Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film at the 2008 National Arthur Koestler awards for Arts in Prisons. It has since been translated into seven languages and has toured worldwide.
