Now in its sixth year, Cries from the Heart is a powerful evening of words and music staged by Human Rights Watch. The first Cries from the Heart event was held on 11 May 2003 at the 20th Century Theatre with Anna Massey as our artistic director. Joining her on stage that evening was Alan Rickman, David Hare and Trudie Styler. Cries from the Heart has now become a much anticipated occasion.

Performers read poetry, prose, reportage and testimonies gathered by Human Rights Watch researchers from victims and survivors of the abuse. Since 2003 we've had many extraordinary individuals taking part; Tom Stoppard, Judi Dench, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Thandie Newton, Václav Havel, Sophie Okonedo, Fergal Keane and Joseph Fiennes.

In 2005 Cries from the Heart was generously hosted by Shakespeare's Globe and by the Royal Court Theatre in 2006 and 2007. 2008 sees Cries from the Heart at the Theatre Royal Haymarket with special thanks to the chairman Arnold Crook for his generosity.