News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Switch-up-knife-crime-saltmine-play-thumb_article_image.jpg
Saltmine Theatre Company
UK News

Christian theatre company encourages teenagers to leave knife crime behind in new play

Saltmine have performed a play version of John's gospel in Christian Unions throughout the country and go to festivals such as Word Alive with plays based on the lives of John Newton and Martin Luther. 

Their latest play, Switch Up, will go into secondary schools and is accompanied by a workshop focusing on the issues of knife crime, gang violence and self-identity. 

Marcel White, the director, is an actor who has been working with Saltmine for three years.

He told Premier reducing knife crime is a topic he feels passionately about: "It's really heartbreaking for me - really, really heartbreaking for a few reasons. When I became a Christian I had not long come out of that lifestyle.

"I myself didn't necessarily carry a knife but I was around it all the time and it was something I really wanted to do actually - I wanted to carry a knife, I wanted to be a bad boy, I wanted to be someone.

"It's where a lot of young people find their identity. So, to see young people dying at the cost of, what? A number on a road sign? Or colours or revenge?...It's really heartbreaking". 

Marcel White

Marcel White explained how addressing this issue had become a personal outworking of faith for him: "This is something that God has been speaking to me about, about how he'll use me and actually send me into these communties...to talk to young men like this to show them not just a better way but the best way and that actually God is not a distant person living in the sky - he's right here. 

"I'm both saddened and convicted at the same time that I've been so slow with the things that God has put in my hands".

Speaking of Christians' role in this, he said: "I believe there is a great mandate for the church to bring about hope and bring about a different path."

Switch Up came out of working with Derby City Council, who wanted a play that could go into secondary schools to help teenagers make safer decisions about carrying knives.

Marcel said once they had permission make it, the storyline came within a few hours and they decided to add a workshop to make students think about what motivated people to carry a knife and to talk about identity as well. 

"Sometimes people can end up not making a difference 'cos they think it's a drop in the ocean" he said, "I believe the church can support this". 

Switch Up Promo from Saltmine Trust on Vimeo.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

Tell us what you think about our news service, what you want and how Premier fits into your news landscape. Take our quick survey!

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate