what i do
Prison & Hostel Feedback
Steve Gilbert
Errol was invited to the Northumbria IOM Staff Development Day, on 17/07/24 and presented his one man show “Something To Take Off The Edge”. The event was attended by Police and Probation staff from across the area. Errol delivered a powerful and thought provoking performance which had a profound effect upon everyone who was in the audience. The Q&A following the show was a unique opportunity for staff to share views and listen to Errol’s life experience and his thoughts on rehabilitation and recovery. I wholeheartedly recommend that professionals take the time to see Errol’s performance should they have the opportunity, it is truly inspiring.
Stephen Hastie
Errol performed his show to both our populations within Dumfries. It was a fantastic day, well received by all. His lived experience and his desire for change and opportunity was evident throughout. Highly recommended and look forward to his next visit
Simon Fraser
Errol came and performed for all Northeast Approved Premises staff. The whole experience was absolutely brilliant. Can’t recommend Errol highly enough. This performance was funny, moving and engaging.
Roni Redmond
Errol is an extremely talented wordsmith - spoken word artist and playwright.
I have worked with him over the last 6 years on several projects and seen him evolve and grow. He has great courage and hasn't allowed the challenges from his past to define him, instead, he has a clear direction, moving forward into the future with hope and clarity.
Neil Thomas OBE
Errol is an incredibly talented playwright and actor.
His stagecraft is powerful, visceral and thought provoking. His authentic performances reach all kinds of audiences, and he is able to move people emotionally in a way that very few solo performers can.
What is even more amazingly is that Errol has been touring the length and breadth of the UK, performing for hard to reach audiences in prisons, hostels and halfway houses, and doing much of it self funded. Errol has worked tirelessly to bring the arts to those who can least afford to access it.
He is an incredible man with a heart of gold, so if you get the chance to see one of his shows, I urge you to go for it.
Marie-Claire O’Brien
Delighted that a close friend highly recommended Errol to perform at our 10th Birthday and Criminal Justice Conference this month - Errol’s performance gave me goosebumps - being an ex-prisoner myself, his visceral descriptions and grasp of the nuances of prison life touched me, and highlighted the many things that are wrong, and also right about it in terms of the bonds, relationships and understanding which is formed…he doesn’t fail to inspire and engage professionals and service users alike. Book now!
Malcolm Milner
Errol has boundless enthusiasm and passion. He is a born performer and his skill with language is awe inspiring. He is not afraid to go deep to understand human nature and why we are how we are and always sees the positive.
Jim Pope
I saw Errol performing his one man show “something to take off the edge” for staff and residents at the Catford Approved Premises as part of his “Hostels Plus …” tour. It was beautifully crafted and thought provoking offering a truthful perspective on the prison system. He was heading off to Scotland for a gruelling tour with several meetings and workshops planned. His work ethic and passion are unmatched. He is a man with a mission and his voice needs to be heard by the prison system and beyond.
Hugh Levinson
Errol is a superb communicator, full of energy, passion and wisdom. I've seen him perform his writing and being interviewed, and in both modes he was the same - displaying his honesty in confronting his own life with his lively use of language characteristic sense of humour.
Fiona Merrifield BSc (Hons)
We were fortunate enough to have Errol come and perform his one man show “Something to take the edge off” during our Black History Month celebrations at HMP Brixton.
The audience was around 50 men with substance misuse issues, who could all relate with the story of addiction and custodial sentences. Some staff also attended to hear Errol’s story.
There was laughter and tears, but most of all there was hope, and a realisation that addiction can be addressed with the right support. Errol’s lived experience performance was profound, with the key message being change is possible. We look forward to inviting Errol to HMP Brixton to perform. His show is a definite must see!!
Anne Stewart
Errol's performance was powerful, energetic and convincing. I watched it in two different prisons, one male and one female, and in both establishments it was very well received. It absolutely hit the spot. There is light and shade; the humour brings light in the darkness. It was a privilege to watch.
Andrea Luka Zimmerman
Errol McGlashan is a most talented performer, captivating, passionate, absolutely brilliant, I have worked with Errol McGlashan on two films and we hope to work together again.
ABOUT THE TOUR
Since its launch, Something to Take Off the Edge, written and performed by Errol McGlashan, has captivated audiences in a range of settings, from prisons and hostels to recovery centres, conferences, and staff training events across the UK. The show explores life behind bars through the eyes of two cellmates who flirt with Heroin, Chocolate Hobnobs, and Shakespeare while serving long-term sentences in 1980s Britain. With powerful themes of mental health, addiction, literacy, incarceration, faith, and friendship, the show has left a lasting impact on inmates, staff, and audiences alike. Each performance is followed by a lively Q&A, sparking honest and meaningful conversations.
Tour Highlights:
- Selected for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 37 Plays project.
- 36 performances at 24 prisons from London to England to Scotland in 2023 and 2024.
- 23 performances for the Camden Fringe Festival 2023, including three sold-out shows at The Hope Theatre.
- Performances for Young Vic Theatre ‘s Mayfest, Outside Edge Theatre Company, Cardboard Citizens, and other charity-based organisations.
The show has been highly praised for its authenticity, relatability, and engaging storytelling, which is based on Errol’s own lived experiences. After seeing the show, Errol hopes audiences will feel inspired to write and share their own stories—whether for therapy, creativity, or entertainment. The journey continues in 2025, as Errol takes the show to Ireland, with plans to visit prisons, forensic psychiatric institutions, and hostels, offering more powerful performances and inspirational workshops.
Find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/errol-mcglashan/ To book a performance for your workplace,
contact: Email: wordonthekerbuk@gmail.com
Phone: +44 (0)7848963715
Photo Gallery
About the show
Something to Take Off the Edge is described as a powerful and engaging tragi-comedy that delves into the transformative power of art, literature, faith and friendship.
During the hour-long performance, McGlashan beguiles the audience with a humorous yet poignant story about two convicts who strike up an unlikely friendship while flirting with Drugs, Chocolate Hobnobs, and Shakespeare while serving long-term prison sentences in 1980s Britain.
Something to Take off the Edge has been praised for its ability to tackle complex issues surrounding incarceration, addiction and mental health in a thought-provoking and entertaining way, with its humorous and heartfelt moments leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
After each performance, there will be a Q&A session. Additionally, an optional mini workshop based on the play’s themes can be arranged if it aligns with your organisation’s goals.
No Walls Still Trapped
Here is a monologue I recently wrote for Cardboard Citizens More Than One Story project, It is a spin off from my solo-show, superbly acted and directed by actor Micheal Quartey and director Chris Sonnex.
Play Video
Play Video
Something To Take Off the Edge was selected to be part of RSC’s 37 Plays initiative
In 2023, the Royal Shakespeare Company marked the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio with 37 Plays, a national playwriting project to create a new folio of brand-new plays. rsc.org.uk/37-plays.
Reviews
ABOUT ERROL MCGLASHAN
Errol McGlashan, from Brixton, South London, is an award-winning writer and Spoken Word Artist known across London for his dynamic stage presence and rhythmic performance poetry. He is also an actor on stage, screen, and community settings, a sought-after event host and workshop facilitator.
a recent visit to The Hague for this important international conference
audio
Walls performed by Errol McGlashan music by Stephen Stewart
This spoken word piece is set to music composed by the talented Steven Stewart, an inmate at HMP Addiewell, recorded at the prison’s music suite Aug 2024. Special thanks to Mark Thorbur for tutoring and support, and Jade Devaney.
Organisations I have worked with
H M Prison & Probation Services (Prisons and Approved Premises)
Young Vic Theatre (Community Theatre- Mayfest Celebration)
Drug & Alcohol Recovery Hostels and Day Centres (Various)
Outside Edge Theatre Company
Scottish Prison Service
Cardboard Citizens
Sodexo
Serco
With much appreciated support from London North Eastern Railway, Civil Society Consulting, Scotrail and Necessity
Donate
Thank you for visiting my website and for your interest in my ‘Hostels plus…’ Tour. I often give free performances especially to groups and organisations who have no budget. Please give a small donation to support this. Much appreciated.
Donate to the following information:
Name: ERROL MCGLASHAN
Sort code: 04-00-03
Account number: 14421012
IBAN: GB87 MONZ 0400 0314 4210 12