Director Porzia Addabbo: When I entered Maiano Maximum Security prison for the first time, I was intrigued by the relationships that were developing between a professional set designer and people with a non theatrical background but who were attending an arts school and the possibilities that could be realised with a little coaching and nurturing. I saw real talent and Passion whilst I was making the documentary on the Opera Course. I also saw a real desire to continue learning and growing in the field of the arts.

Producer Joseph Mitchell: Prison is an extreme environement for Art to develop in. One can always learn something new about how an object fares out in an extreme environement - in this the object is Puccini's Boheme. What interested me most about developing this project was that it could give a chance for people on the periphery of society to discover the arts and build skills that might benefit them in their future. I was also very curious about how the boheme tale would unfold  - Opera and prison is an unchartered territory. I couldn't wait to get started on the project, My mind was full questions: How would the art develop in the sometimes harsh environment of prison, how would the detainees react, would they benefit, what new slant would the prisoners bring to the Opera, could we as a society learn anything new from the initiative ?. How would the Italian director and Italian Set designer we placed on assignment in Mounjoy Prison Ireland for six months survive inside an Irish prison. 2 years on, with the sets and costumes 100% complete and prisoners bursting with pride, I'm delighted with the results. I'm also really proud of the fact that we live in a society where we give people opportunities to learn new skills and better themselves - even in prison.

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