The work of the academics based in the Human Rights Centre was one of the inspirations for the play Human Rights by Professor Jonathan Lichtenstein, from the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, being performed this week.

The play is at the Lakeside Theatre on Tuesday 10 December as part of the Script in Hand series and to coincide with Human Rights Week.

• More information about Human Rights on the Lakeside Theatre website

First performed on BBC Radio 4, Human Rights explores the growing tensions between two lawyers as they investigate the release of a political prisoner and this new this performance has been developed by the Lakeside's Theatre Laboratory.

Ideas for the play emerged from conversations with Professor Sir Nigel Rodley, Chair of the Human Rights Centre who was United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture from 1993 to 2001, alongside research into the experiences of people who had survived being kept in solitary confinement for long periods of time.

Professor Lichtenstein said: "It was an interesting play to write. I wanted to explore the minds of people who have used a part of themselves which is really beautiful and extraordinary."

• Listen to Professor Jonathan Lichtenstein on our SoundCloud channe

More links to human rights stories

• Video showcases impact and legacy of Human Rights Centre
• Students mark Human Rights Day
• Future leaders join Essex to study human rights