On Road *

In January this year, my friend and artistic collaborator of the last 18 years Chris Johnston, sadly died. During our time together we ran numerous drama workshops, made plays, films, exhibitions, installations, livestreams and spent many hours devising special challenges and new games and exercises, all with the intent of helping people stop coming back to prison. I wouldn't have done even a tenth of this if it hadn't been for Chris' most extraordinary drive and tenacity.

As a mark of respect, and to honour his name, Rideout is setting up a new memorial fund to support the ongoing development of new theatre practitioners wishing to specialise in the development of projects and programmes that explore issues of social and criminal justice. I am kicking this fund off by doing a walk - not just any old walk, but rather a walk that maps one of the key territories of our work together.

Between 9 and 15 August 2017 I am going to go 'On-Road' by walking to all the prisons in Staffordshire. There are eight in total, and during our time together, Chris and I worked in all but one. The total distance is in the region of 115 miles. Over the course of the walk I will tell stories and share memories of the work we did together. These will be available on the On Road Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/onroad2017/).

I am asking that you support me in my walk, by donating money, and sharing news of the fund to everyone you know. In doing so you will be contributing to the ongoing development of professionals who use drama and theatre to help people make positive changes in their lives.

* 'On Road' is prison slang for being free.