Around a thousand teenagers across North Wales are to get an insight into the consequences of law braking and the effects it can have on not just the offender but on the community and those closest to you.
For the fourth year running, the ‘Justice in a Day’ project has started its tour of North Wales.
Calling at various locations including Llandudno, Dolgellau, Prerstatyn, Llangefni and Wrexham the cast will again bring current topics and pressures faced by teenagers and many young adults to life through an interactive drama. As the drama unfolds, the teenagers get to witness first-hand the consequence of law braking and its wider impact.
“The production is aimed at Year Nine students and has always been extremely well received by the teenagers who have taken part in the day,” said Dave Evans of the Police and Community Trust (PACT) who have again helped sponsor this year’s event. “Through drama, issues such as youth on youth assault, peer pressure, under-age drinking and use of social media are tackled.”
Educating 14 to 15-year-olds is the main aim of Justice in a Day which has again been developed in partnership with Clwyd Theatr Cymru. It also seeks to discourage young people from going down the route of criminality by making informed choices and it encourages good citizenship.
Professional actors from the theatre work with young people from schools where they follow a fictional character in a series of scenes from the time one of the characters breaks the law until sentencing at a local Magistrates Court. As each scene develops, opportunities also arise to investigate the cause and effect of being involved in law braking – not just for the offender but also on the victim, their families and the community.
Tim Baker Associate Director, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, said: “Justice in a Day shows how theatre and role-play can pose real-life questions to and for young people. The interplay between the fictional story is played out by actors and the subsequent conclusion of the story in a real courtroom, with a working magistrate is thrilling, informative and challenging.”
Support for Justice in a Day has also been gained from the Scottish Power Foundation.
Ann Loughrey Trustee and Executive Officer of ScottishPower Foundation: “The support given to the Justice in a Day project by ScottishPower Foundation reinforces our commitment to the community, and we are extremely pleased to see our partnership benefitting so many young people from North East Wales”.
Picture: Back row (L-R) Emyr John, Drama Outreach Worker, Clwyd Theatr Cymru; School Community Police Officer Gail Sinclair; Cara-Leigh Murphy, Ysgol Maes Garmon; Celia Jenkins JP, High Sheriff of Clwyd; Bethan Jones, Ysgol Maes Garmon; Roy Jones, Scottish Power Community Foundation. Front row Actors: Aled Herbert, Claire Barron, Richard Shackley