Transforming Lives Through Applied Theatre

Reducing reoffending. Unlocking confidence. Rehabilitation in prisons and communities.

About Unlock Drama

Award-winning Leading Pioneers in Applied Theatre for Systemic Change 2025 and  ‘Leading Theatre-Focused Rehabilitation Enterprise 2025, Unlock Drama transforms lives through the power of Applied Theatre. We deliver dynamic rehabilitation projects across prisons and communities, using drama to break cycles, unlock confidence, and inspire lasting personal change.

Founded in 2014 by Rebecca Boden, a leading specialist in Applied Theatre and criminal justice. Unlock Drama was born from a deep belief: that everyone deserves the opportunity to be seen, heard, and valued. With over seventeen years of theatre experience, we’ve empowered thousands of participants to develop life changing skills through creativity and connection. In 2020, Unlock Drama evolved into a Community Interest Company (CIC), expanding our reach to some of the UK’s most underfunded communities and prison estates. As a CIC, we access crucial funding to bring our award-winning programmes to those who need them most.

Our projects do more than entertain, they build self esteem, strengthen communication and leadership skills, and equip participants with vital life tools that support education, employment, and community integration. Through peer-led performances and powerful storytelling, our participants share their voices with staff, professionals, and the wider community. These authentic, hard-hitting performances raise awareness, provoke empathy, and drive transformational change, both on stage and in life.

At Unlock Drama, we don’t just run projects, we use purposeful activity through theatre to reduce offending and reoffending, creating safer communities for everyone.
 
We unlock potential.
We change futures.
We inspire hope.
Unlock drama founder Rebecca Boden

Vision

A society where theatre is a catalyst for rehabilitation — reducing crime, restoring lives, and building safer, more connected communities.

Mission

To deliver dynamic, issue-led drama projects in prisons and communities that tackle the root causes of offending, empower participants, and create meaningful pathways towards change.

Purpose

We use purposeful activity through theatre to reduce offending and reoffending — helping people develop confidence, build life skills, and unlock new ways of seeing themselves and their futures.

Theory of change

the Work we do

Multi award-winning Unlock Drama has delivered tailored rehabilitation projects in over 40 prisons nationwide, across both public and private estates. With over a decade of experience working with a range of cohorts, including but not limited to convicted adult male/female people in prison, young offenders, People Convicted of Sexual Offences (PCoSO), and remand people in prison, Unlock Drama is a trusted, registered supplier and partner to leading organisations including HMPPS, Serco, NHS England, Practice Plus Group, Mitie, and the Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System.

Unlock Drama CIC extends its award-winning rehabilitative theatre practice into the community, empowering young people, students, and people on probation to transform their futures. Building on over a decade of success within the criminal justice system, we deliver preventative and reintegration projects that aim to reduce first-time offending and reoffending.

Reducing reoffending: participant journeys

At Unlock Drama, we use applied theatre to reduce reoffending, empower individuals and generate long-term social value.

This section highlights real participants’ journeys – from their first engagement with Unlock Drama in custody, through release, and into continued desistance from crime. These stories show not only personal transformation, but also the wider impact of rehabilitation done differently. 

By tracking years out of custody and estimating public cost savings, we’re demonstrating the tangible return on investing in creative, person-centred interventions.

Each journey represents a life redirected – a future reimagined, and a measurable return on social investment.

Participant John

HMP Rochester 2015

We first met Participant John in HMP Rochester

Health & Wellbeing champion / peer mentor

  • Supported the recruitment and mentoring of prisoners
  • Advocated health and substance misuse awareness

Psychoactive substance awareness

Supported our psychoactive substance awareness project, helping to recruit and engage fellow prisoners

Black History Month Play

Developed and directed the Black History Month Play

A Prisoner's Tale Play

Wrote a play in HMP Rochester that won a Koestler Award and was performed in the prison 

released from custody april 2016

Speaker at Unlock Drama staff training day: 2017

  • Joined our staff training day as a guest speaker
  • Shared his rehabilitation story and inspired our team

Ongoing Artistic & advocacy involvement

  • Acted in the films Stray Dog & The Aesthetics of Love
  • Set to play “Homeless Bob” in an upcoming feature about homelessness
  • An active, passionate advocate and ambassador for Unlock Drama

Years out of custody: 9.75 years

Estimated cost savings to society:

£382,800+ (based on annual custody cost estimates from 2016–2025)

WORDS FROM JOHN:

“From the first time I met Rebecca Boden; both you and your staff have helped me become the person I am today..The journey we went on was amazing, and it shows your work in rehabilitation works because read my journey on here and where I am today and how far I have come. If anybody wishes to support a social enterprise that seriously changes lives everyday through proper rehabilitation work then support Unlock Drama CIC”

Please note:

The estimated savings shown are based on average annual custody costs in the UK. 

They do not account for additional costs such as court proceedings, police time, victim services, or community supervision. 

The true cost savings to society are likely to be significantly higher.

In the news

Unlock Drama CEO Featured on Stages of Justice Podcast
We’re proud to share that Unlock Drama’s founder and CEO, Rebecca Boden, is featured on Episode 3 of the Stages of Justice podcast: “Prisons in Crisis and the Role of Artists.”

The episode brings together leading voices in the field of prison arts, including Esther Baker (Synergy) and Simon Ruding (TiPP), alongside former prison governor John Podmore, to explore how creative work continues in prisons despite ongoing systemic challenges.

Rebecca shares how Unlock Drama uses theatre as a rehabilitative tool, working with issue-based topics such as mental health, substance misuse, and violence reduction. She reflects on the personal growth she’s witnessed in participants, including individuals who’ve gone on to lead more positive, connected lives after engaging with the work.

🎧 Listen to the episode here
Unlock Drama wins Leading Pioneers in Applied Theatre for Systemic Change 2025 – UK
Unlock Drama CIC has been recognised at Corporate Vision’s Global Business Awards as Leading Pioneers in Applied Theatre for Systemic Change 2025 – UK. The award acknowledges our evidence-led delivery and the impact participants report through impact analysis (participant feedback)—higher confidence, calmer communication and clearer links between triggers, choices and consequences. Thank you to our partners across the estate and, most of all, to participants for their commitment.

Read more about our award here
Unlock Drama Wins Prestigious Award
We’re proud to announce that Unlock Drama has been named Leading Theatre-Focused Rehabilitation Enterprise 2025 by the UK Enterprise Awards. This award recognises our innovative work using applied theatre to support rehabilitation in prisons and communities across the UK. We’re honoured by this recognition and remain dedicated to transforming lives and creating safer communities through the power of theatre.

Read more about our award here
Unlock Drama Returns to HMP Swinfen Hall
We’re pleased to announce the return of our social prescribing theatre programme at HMP Swinfen Hall, in partnership with Practice Plus Group. Following the success of our previous sessions — which saw improvements in mood, confidence, and connection — we’ll be delivering two new six-week cohorts, supporting 6–8 participants in each. These creative sessions combine storytelling, improvisation and performance to support mental health and rehabilitation in a safe, expressive space. As one participant shared: “It puts me in a good mood. Makes the day.” Unlock Drama is proud to continue championing the power of social prescribing through applied theatre as a tool for wellbeing, recovery, and purposeful activity.

You can read more here
Unlock Drama wins the 2023 SME Enterprise Award
We’re elated to announce that we’ve been honoured with the title of ‘Best Rehabilitation Social Enterprise 2023’! This award not only reflects our unwavering commitment to using applied theatre as a tool for rehabilitation but also celebrates the incredible stories and transformations of our participants.
Unlock Drama CIC wins Performing arts NPO of the year award
Unlock Drama CIC are hugely proud to announce we have won another award! Performing Arts of the Year 2023/24 Award from Prestige Awards, London and South East England.
We've won an award! Best Rehabilitation Social Enterprise 2023!!!
Not entirely sure what to say.....but I am grateful, beyond grateful of the belief, faith, support, hard-work of every single part of Unlock Drama CIC. From placement students, to facilitators, to suppliers, funders and above all our participants!!!!!!

Blown away by this recognition.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Rebecca

You can view our award here
Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Trade Up Programme
Rebecca Boden Unlock Drama’s Founder and Director recently became a fellow of The School for Social Entrepreneurs after completing The Lloyds Bank and Community Lottery Fund Trade Up Programme class of 2021/2022.
UNLtD Award
In October 2022 Rebecca became one of the very fortunate Social Entrepreneurs to receive an UNLtD award. The award offers a grant, Support Manager, Mentor, workshops and more to help social entrepreneurs grow their impact. Watch this space for more updates soon.

Testimonials

Staff

REBECCA BODEN

FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE

As the Founder and Chief Executive of Unlock Drama, Rebecca steers a Community Interest Company committed to rehabilitation and personal transformation through the power of applied theatre. Established in 2014, Unlock Drama harnesses the unique properties of drama to facilitate social change, particularly within prisons and marginalised communities across the UK.

Rebecca’s academic foundation in Applied Theatre was laid at Loughborough University in 2008, followed by a specialised Master’s from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, focusing on the Criminal Justice System in 2011. This academic pursuit transitioned into a profound professional calling when Rebecca initiated a pivotal 18-month full-time drama residency at HMPYOI Doncaster, directly engaging with inmates to foster change through artistic expression.

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TRISTAN CLARKE

DIRECTOR

Tristan first experienced how powerful Applied Theatre in prison can be when serving time in HMP & YOI Doncaster. Rebecca recruited him to edit the prison’s magazine and, above and beyond that role, he went on to take part in many of the drama projects that she ran during her time there. One that left a real impression on him involved young people at risk of offending coming into the prison and taking part in a piece of forum theatre that showed them how easy it could be for one bad decision to lead to them finding themselves in a similar position to his. A truly inspirational experience for the prisoners and young people alike.

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latest from the blog

Unlock Drama Reaches 50 Prisons: A Milestone in Creative Criminal Justice Work

In January 2026, Unlock Drama officially reached a major milestone. We have now delivered creative, theatre-based projects in 50 prisons across the UK. This achievement marks over a decade of consistent delivery, long-term collaboration, and a deep commitment to using theatre as a meaningful tool in prison education, behavioural change and rehabilitation. It is a moment to reflect on how

Read More »
Unlock Drama logo for social media

Unlock Drama to Deliver New 10-Week Theatre Residency at HMP Bullingdon

Unlock Drama is proud to announce that we have been awarded the drama-based tender on the Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to deliver a new 10-week theatre residency at HMP Bullingdon, launching in January 2026. This new partnership allows us to deliver creative, issue-based projects across multiple wings of the establishment, supporting the prison’s wider strategy for purposeful activity,

Read More »

Send a message

If you are interested in any of the projects or workshops Unlock Drama has to offer please contact me using the contact form.

Rebecca holding a sign with the contact details to get in touch about an Unlock drama project in your prison or community

Help us at Unlock Drama keep transforming lives using theatre to rehabilitate.