Amnesty International UK is supporting the award-winning play The Exonerated, as it begins a 16-week run at the Riverside Studios theatre in London.

The Exonerated, running from 21 February to 11 June, is based on the testimonies of six people released from death row in the United States after having their convictions overturned.

It will be performed by both leading American and British actors as well as several real-life exonerees playing themselves.

Confirmed actors so far include Stockard Channing, Kristin Davis, Richard Dreyfuss Danny Glover, Kate Mulgrew, Aidan Quinn and Catherine Tate. The real-life exonerees are Kerry Max Cook, Gary Gauger, Sunny Jacobs and Delbert Tibbs.

Amnesty International is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and is particularly concerned that people innocent of capital crimes are also being sent to death row in the USA and elsewhere.

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

“In the last 30 years over 120 people have been exonerated from death row in the USA – this play is a shocking and timely reminder of one of the most compelling reasons why the death penalty should be abolished immediately.”

Amnesty International is currently calling for Kenny Richey, a Scotsman on death row in Ohio, USA, to have the opportunity to present fresh evidence that could show that he too is an innocent man facing execution.

Mr Richey, who has spent over 19 years on death row, has always protested his innocence and declined to accept a plea-bargain ahead of his trial on the basis that, he claimed, he would not admit to a crime he had not committed.

Amnesty International will be participating in special productions of The Exonerated, including by raising attention to the plight of Mr Richey.

The Exonerated has already won several awards, including the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award in 2005.