Luton Borough Council

01/07/2022 - Luton’s students learn dangers of carrying a knife through theatre

Theatre performances for students in primary and secondary schools in Luton aim to raise awareness of knife crime and antisocial behaviour.

In July, as part of Luton Council’s Community Safety Partnership's Serious Violence Strategy, together with Luton Council, the Flavasum Trust is bringing two engaging and powerful theatre productions to primary pupils in Years 5 and 6 and secondary students in Years 8 and 9.

Amanda Lewis, Corporate Director of Children, Families & Education, said: “The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a top priority for us in Luton. We work closely with our partners including Beds Police and youth organisations to effectively reach young people. Plays like ‘It’s No Joke!’ are an impactful way to engage with children early and show them the consequences and devastation caused by knife crime.”

After COVID cut short performances in 2020, ‘It’s No Joke!’ will be performed for 1,560 pupils in 13 primary schools and ‘Boy X 2022’ will be performed for 1,680 students in 7 secondary schools between 4 and 19 July.

Peter Sinclair, Chair of Trustees, the Flavasum Trust said: “Knife crime devastates lives, families and communities. One of the best ways to combat it is to warn young people of the dangers of carrying knives while they are still at school and theatre is a very effective way to convey this message.

“Our research shows that these plays increased students’ confidence to negotiate safer paths for themselves and their peers, which can lead to safer families and local communities.”

‘It’s No Joke!’ uses humour to explain the damage knives can do – to the person carrying them, their friends and families, as well as to anyone unlucky enough to be a victim. ‘Boy X 2022’ is a highly interactive play for older students using performance, video and multimedia to focus on knives, gangs, bullying, exploitation and county lines. In addition, 7 days of workshops to reinforce what the students learn will be provided by Nathan Levy, who has been working in Luton’s secondary schools for several years.

The delivery of these performances in Luton is funded by the Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation on behalf of the Luton Youth Fund, the Luton Youth Offending and Targeted Youth Service, the Behaviour and Inclusion Support Service, and the Flavasum Trust.