Pact, a play written by Clifford Oliver and performed by London theatre group Arc, focuses on the dilemma faced by 19-year-old fictional character, Ethan, after he witnesses a murder.

After returning home from university on holiday, Ethan sees a drug deal going wrong, resulting in a man’s death. He knows those responsible, but faces a choice between naming them and helping investigators or having his innocent friend being implicated in the murder.

The 45-minute play, commissioned by British Transport Police (BTP), features four actors and is being performed on Friday 4 March - at Great Barr High School (9.15am) and at Colmers School (2pm).

Students from both schools will be attending the performances, alongside officers from BTP’s Birmingham-based Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs).

Acting Chief Inspector Tom Naughton, of BTP, said: “BTP fully supports Pact, which shows the consequences of youth violence in a dramatic way.

“Through its powerful message, Pact is designed to help young people understand the risks and implications of staying silent about serious crimes.

“We hope our work with Arc can help us get closer to young people and explain how the police can help. Equally we hope it will help us better understand their point of view.”

Inspector Lee Gordon, of BTP, said: "This will be a powerful play, which we hope will help young people realise the pitfalls associated with getting involved in crime and keeping information from the police.

"Thankfully, serious incidents like the one the play is based around are rare in Birmingham and the West Midlands, but the hard-hitting messages it sends out should make every youngster who sees 'Pact' pay attention.

“The students will also have the opportunity to take part in discussion sessions afterwards to talk about the issues raised in the play.”

Carole Pluckrose, CEO of Arc Theatre, said: “I am delighted with British Transport Police’s bold initiative to commission Pact, our new play and workshop programme.

“Starting with our acclaimed play Boy X by Clifford Oliver, Arc has collaborated with BTP over the past two years as part of the Tackling Knives Action Programme. We are passionate about communicating with all sectors of the community that the urgent issues of gangs, knives and confidence in the legal process is all of our responsibility.

“This is a powerful call to action for business people, educators, young people and the community as a whole to take a lead in projects that will support those involved and rid our streets of these senseless tragedies.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The media are invited to attend to take photos/ film and undertake interviews.

BTP officers will be available for interview.

Please contact Brian Price on 0121 654 2247 or 07787 002 747.

You can view trailers of the play here -

Boy X trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuOuIl5jKJE

Please note that no flash photography is allowed during the performance.

More information about Arc and their performances can be found at http://www.arctheatre.com/

For further information contact Theresa Snooks, Communications Manager at Arc on 020 8594 1095 or email theresa@arctheatre.com