Kentish Town, London

2 August 2010 Last updated at 12:58

UK's gun and knife problem tackled by young actors

By Dhruti Shah
  
 "Let's just merc them," the teenage boy said menacingly as he looked at the strangers sleeping in the squat where he had stored his illegal guns.

His desire to kill was underlined as he aimed the weapon he had just picked up from his stash.

But, as the young actors involved in the Zip: Gun and Knife Crime theatre project prepared to deliver their next lines, director Ray Shell stopped them and encouraged them to think about their own experiences and channel it into their performances.

Theatre: Latest News > June 03 - Celebrity line-up to help set-up a gun and knife crime theatre workshop called Zip

Published: 3 June 2010
by JOSH LOEB

A CELEBRITY line-up is set to help lead a theatre workshop examining the scourge of gun and knife crime. Zip, a not-for-profit project supported by the Big Lottery Fund and Camden Council, is being run by Kentish Town-based theatre company Giant Olive and will culminate in a new, devised play being premiered at this year’s Camden Fringe Festival. Grime rapper Wiley will provide the soundtrack and actor Vas Blackwood – who has starred in films including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels – will be part of the creative process. West End star and Giant Olive artistic director Ray Shell will help lead a series of workshops with people of all ages affected by gun and knife crime.