School helps to create safer communities

Alsop High School hosted Liverpool based Perception Theatre Company to deliver a performance of CUT, a production centred around knife crime and youth violence. Young people were able to explore how a needless dispute can cause a teenager to be stabbed and killed. 

Students in Year 9 and Year 10 watched CUT, an amazing play, touring Liverpool schools, which highlights the impact and repercussions of carrying a knife. The play was extremely powerful and emotive. It was well received by the audience. 

Mr Paul Masher, headteacher, said: “CUT is such a powerful and engaging production. It tackles head on the tragic consequences of knife crime. Thank you to Perception Theatre for raising awareness of the repercussions of carrying a knife. It challenges us all to make our communities safer places for all.” 

The play takes place amongst the four walls of a police interview room where Jamie recalls the night his best friend was murdered. The script was developed alongside a variety of professionals who work in tackling knife crime with Merseyside Police and Cheshire Police. Family members of both victims and perpetrators also played a part in helping us shape the narrative and nuances within the story. 

The play CUT explores the choice of a young person to carry a knife and how a knife crime can shatter relationships. It also highlights how peer pressure and drug and alcohol misuse can lead to young people becoming involved in risk taking behaviour.  

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell also attended the performance and said: “If we are to stop young people from carrying knives, it’s crucial we act early to educate them about the dangers and repercussions and speak to them in a way which really resonates with them. 

“This fantastic performance of ‘CUT’ did just that. It was clear from the reactions of the students at Alsop High School that it really brought home the devastating consequences of getting involved with weapons and violence. 

“It was also great to see first-hand their enthusiastic engagement with both the actors and Merseyside Police’s schools’ officers. 

“My thanks again to Alsop High School for inviting me to join them for this powerful production.” 

Mr Steve Reddy, director of children’s services, Liverpool City Council also attended the performance at Alsop. He added: “Powerful messages expertly delivered by Perception Theatre at Alsop High School this morning. I was really impressed with the engagement and behaviour of Year 9 students.”