Blackwood Miners Institute showcased the award winning, hard-hitting and socially relevant ‘Crime of the Century’ production recently.
The play by Chickenshed Theatres, tackles the issue of knife crime amongst young people today and is set to a contemporary score of hip-hop and dance music and packs a powerful punch by using emotive words, movement and projection.
The production portrays a stark yet compelling journey to one fatal moment and the repercussions upon a local community.
Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman who watched the piece alongside youths from the Caerphilly County Borough said, “The production carried so much resonance because the emotion and passion in every single cast member was obvious. It was clear to see the effect it was having on the transfixed audience and I can’t speak highly enough of the engaging power the piece had on the young people present.”
The play is particularly powerful because much of the piece is based on personal experiences. Three people associated with the theatre group were tragically killed, and the show has been developed to prick the consciousness of those that need to take a step back and gain some perspective on the savagery of knife crime.
The Chickenshed Theatre Company have gained rave reviews for ‘Crime of the Century’ ever since their first run of performances at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2009.