Argyll pupils to face the judges in Inveraray Jail acting face-off

Tomorrow(19th May 2010) the Inveraray Jail School Competition gets underway as this major visitor attraction starts its search for budding actors.

The prison matron and one of the jail’s prisoners will escape for five days across the next two weeks to embark on an exciting school roadshow.

The two jail guides, who will also be judging the competition, are searching for six lucky pupils who will win the chance to play the part of a child prisoner for one afternoon this summer at Inveraray Jail.

Participating pupils have been rehearsing monologues for the past few weeks. They will perform these in front of the Inveraray Jail judges. They have the choice of audition as one of two characters already scripted:

• 11 year old Duncan McColl, who is facing the judges for stealing an apple from a market stall;
• a 10 year old girl and prisoner describing her experiences of being refined to a dark, damp and cold prison cell.

11 schools across Argyll are taking part. They are: Ardrishaig Primary, Kilcreggan Primary (Dunbartonshire), Drumlemble and Castlehill Primary (Campbeltown), Strachur Primary, Dunoon Primary, Furnace & Minard Primary (by Inveraray), Ashfield (Achnamara), Lochnell Primary (Connel) and Kilchrenan Primary (Taynuilt).

Over 130 pupils are expected to audition. Local apple growers will be delighted as all the Duncan McColls get practising.

Before the auditions, the prison matron and her prisoner will perform a sketch for the school pupils, giving them an insight into a typical day in the life of a 19th century prisoner.

As well as a fun acting role in the summer, the six successful contestants will also win Inveraray Jail goodies for their class.

Winners will be announced Monday 7th June.

Gavin Dick, Prison Governor for Inveraray Jail says: ‘We are excited to be working with local schools. It will be a really fun way for pupils to learn more about their local history. Children as young as seven served sentences at Inveraray Jail in the 19th century for being naughty, so pupils will need to be on best behaviour.

‘We would like to wish all the pupils who are auditioning the very best of luck and we look forward to welcoming our winners to the jail this summer’.

Inveraray Jail was once the courthouse and prison serving Argyll. For visitors today, resident actors being warders, matrons and prisoners in the 19th century prison alive.  Visitors can also try out prison beds and hammocks in the old and new prisons, sit in on a trial in the spectacular courtroom, sample the brutal 19th century prison punishments (an invitation to masochists) and search through prison records for their naughty ancestors.

The privately run attraction is open all year round.  For more information:

• visit the Inveraray Jail website
• phone 01499 302381