Arc news: November 2010

Pact by Clifford Oliver, directed by Carole Pluckrose, commissioned by British Transport Police

You don’t snitch - we all know the rules and we all know the consequences.

But what if your own future is at stake? What if there’s a chance that an innocent person will go to jail? What if that person is your best friend?

Ethan faces an almost impossible personal dilemma that will test him like never before...

Pact is Clifford Oliver’s new interactive performance sparked by the many discussions that followed performances of Arc’s acclaimed production of Boy X - the story of the aftermath of the stabbing of a 16-year old. Violent crime and gangs continue as central themes in this piece, which enters the challenging and taboo area of ‘snitching’ and the walls of silence that can prevent identification and conviction of offenders.

Funded by British Transport Police and working with the BTP Young People's Advisory Group and Millwall Kickz project, Clifford has developed Pact following fascinating, heated and complex conversations with young people about loyalty, trust and the human instinct to ‘close ranks’. Performances of Pact will offer an opportunity to explore these difficult issues in a safe space.

 

“Young people are our future and there is nothing more important for BTP and the police service than getting them on our side. Our work with Arc can help us engage with them both intellectually and emotionally, explain where we are coming from and through interactive drama understand better their point of view. That is a powerful and potentially life-saving combination.”
Superintendent Adrian Young, British Transport Police

 

Pact is in rehearsals this month under the direction of Artistic Director Carole Pluckrose, in preparation for touring schools and venues around London, funded by British Transport Police.

A special Gala performance for invited guests is being held at Arc's home at The Malthouse on Tuesday 30 November. The performance will be followed by an open discussion with Panel Members including Assistant Chief Constable Alan Pacey of the British Transport Police and Chief Superintendent Matt Bell, Borough Commander of Barking & Dagenham Police.

Stop press! View production and Gala images on our new Pact page.

Download Pact Press Release 26.11.10 (pdf, 189k)

Download Pact flyer (pdf, 596k)

 

To find out more or for press enquiries, contact Theresa Snooks

 

Commissioned by British Transport Police

---

 

Exclusive FREE performance opportunity for Barking & Dagenham Schools, sponsored by the Metropolitan Police Authority

Arc is delighted to invite LBBD schools to advantage of the opportunity to have a performance and workshop of Pact by Clifford Oliver, FREE OF CHARGE, sponsored by the Metropolitan Police Authority, in partnership with the MPS and B&D Partnership.

Pact does not make any attempt to answer the questions that result from violent crime, but rather invites its young audiences into an experience, which presents a set of complex decisions. The play and follow-up discussions (up to 90 minutes in total) are ideally suited for Years 8 to 10. (Audience numbers limited to 120 per performance).

Ten performances are now available in the week of 6 December, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To book or for further information, email Theresa Snooks or call 020 8594 1095.

 

"Investigations into very serious offences are often hampered when officers come up against a 'wall of silence'. It is important that we understand why young people are reluctant to pass on information to teachers, parents and police officers and what drives these often apparently false loyalties. Research with young people has shown that this issue is not restricted to one particular social, economic or cultural group, but is common to young people from all backgrounds, however well or poorly off they are. Pact will enable us to explore these issues and gain a better understanding of how we can work smarter when these situations arise.

"I hope it may also prompt a change in thinking in some young people and cause them to challenge established thinking and behaviour."
Chief Superintendent Matt Bell, Borough Commander Barking & Dagenham Police

 

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham school tour funded by the MPA and supported by the MPS and Barking & Dagenham Partnership