Inside: Artists and Writers in Reading Prison will remain open until December 4

'Inside: Artists and Writers in Reading Prison' opened on September 4 and explores the works of the institution's most famous inmate Oscar Wilde.

Run by Artangel, who have spent the past 30 years filling peculiar spaces with contemporary exhibitions, the project has seen a host of artists including Steve McQueen, Marlene Dumas and Robert Gober produce works.

In addition to the physical pieces musicians and actors, perhaps most notably Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Patti Smith, have been reading De Profundis, the letter Wilde wrote whilst incarcerated, in the prison's chapel each Sunday afternoon.

From November 3 audio recordings of these readings will be available in the chapel and on December 4, the new closing date, Irish actress Fiona Shaw will read The Ballad of Reading Gaol.

Co-director of Artangel Michael Morris said: “There has been an overwhelming interest and excitement in Inside: Artists and Writers in Reading Prison, and we are delighted to be able to offer even more people the opportunity to experience the remarkable work by artists and writers inside the prison.”

Fiona Shaw, who has twice won the Olivier Award for Best Actress, played Petunia Dursley in Harry Potter and directed plays and operas, promises to add further crowds to the 16,000 inquisitive punters who have already visited the prison.

Another clear draw are the late 19th century mug-shots of inmates that are presented alongside work by Ai Weiwei, Richard Hamilton and Jeanette Winterson.

Further guided one hour walking tours of the prison hosted by the National Trust will take place on Friday and Saturday afternoons, providing an opportunity for those who missed out on the sell-out first batch.

Graham Deans, the National Trust’s assistant director of operations for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxon said: “We are delighted that the tours of Reading Gaol have been extended to December.

"The first set of tours sold out within days of being released, and have been a great success with many visitors getting to experience a glimpse into what prison life was like, in the present day and in the Victorian times.

"We hope with this extension of the tours that many more local people, and members, will be able to enjoy this unique experience that the Trust has had the opportunity to be involved in.”

On November 24 Berkshire Record Office archivist Mark Stevens will host a talk titled 'The History of Reading Prison'.

Tickets to Fiona Shaw and Mark Steven's readings are available at www.artangel.org.uk/inside Tours can be booked at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/readinggaoltours