Scotland: Freedom of Expression Award winner announced

Today (25 August, 2006), Amnesty International announced that the play Unprotected has won their Freedom of Expression Award 2006. This controversial drama by Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse inspires debate about prostitution, violence against women and how we as a society respond to these issues.

One of the judges for this award said:

'As the Fringe has gone on, more and more people have been telling me how this play has affected them.'

The winner was announced this morning (Friday 25) at the Scotsman Fringe Awards Ceremony, Assembly Rooms, George Street.

Deborah Aydon, Executive Director of Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, accepted the glass and stone award, designed and made by Anita Pate. She said:

"This award means an enormous amount us and to all those involved. After this ceremony I'll be phoning the mothers of the women this play is about to let them know."

"It has been a profound experience producing this play and it has affected all those involved in the play as well as the audiences who came to see it."

Faith Liddell, former director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, who presented the award said:

"This play truly encapsulates the sentiment of Freedom of Expression. It challenges, exposes, confronts and discusses. Whatever your own personal view of prostitution and the policies and legislation that impact on it, this play compels the audience to enter the discourse. Unprotected represents a powerful voice, the voice of the women affected."

Amnesty International's Programme Director, Rosemary Burnett said:

'This play inspires debate on the issue of prostitution and violence against women. The judges felt that it was a powerful piece of theatre which gives these women a voice and a humanity, which is all too often taken away from them.'

The Freedom of Expression Award is now in its fifth year and acknowledges the importance of the space for progressive social and political change that is created by courageous writers and companies.

ENDS

1. The run for Unprotected has now ended, it had been showing at the Traverse, 3-20 Aug.
The judging panel for this award were:

• Neil Cooper - Theatre Critic, The Herald
• Stephanie Knight - Director, Centre for Community Research & Practice, School of Drama & Creative Industries, Queen Margaret University College
• Joyce McMillan - Chief Theatre Critic, The Scotsman
• David Taylor - Head of Drama, Scottish Arts Council

2.    The other shortlisted plays for this award were:

• The Allotment (New Perspectives Theatre Company)
• The Art of Silence (Demarco Rocket Productions)
• Finding Marina (Children of the Sea and Plan)
• Jane Bussman: Bussman's Holiday (Filthy Picture and Richard Jordan Productions)