Lorilei

In 2003, Reprieve commissioned Theatre Tarquin to produce a theatrical companion piece to 'This is a True Story'. Tom Wright was engaged to write the script for a monologue about the experiences of Lorilei Guillory. Unlike Howard Neal in True Story, Lorilei did not sit on death row wondering when the State might execute her. Rather, her 'true story' concerned the death of her young son, Jeremy, at the hands of Ricky Langley.  At the time of developing the script, Langley had been convicted of Jeremy's first degree murder and had been sentenced to death.

Ultimately, Lorilei met with Langley in prison and decided to fight to save him from execution.

Tom Wright and Nicholas Harrington worked on the script. It was based on Lorilei's own words and public statements. The monologue performance is a simple, true story about one woman's loss, her sadness, her compassion, her conviction and her courage.

In Reprieve's view, Lorilei is a modern day heroine. She demonstrates the power of compassion and humanity.

The production, Lorilei, premiered in 2004 in Melbourne, Australia at La Mama theatre. It was directed by Nicholas Harrington, Reprieve founding president. It was later staged in London at the Old Red Lion, Islington in February 2005. In August 2005, it played at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Wherever it was staged, it was met with high critical praise and success. [See reviews].

In July 2006, BBC Radio 4 produced and broadcast Lorilei as a radio play.

Read Melbourne reviews.

Read Times of London review.