AN AWARD winning group of young performers has been praised for raising awareness about domestic violence, following a stage show at Stretford Mall.
Twelve talented members of the Footlights Theatre group performed their self-penned show Invisible, to an audience of shoppers which included local MP Kate Green.
The 20-minute performance involved dancing, singing and acting, to illustrate the dangers of ignoring the warning signs and adopting the attitude “it’s nothing to do with me”.
The youngsters, aged 12-15 were given training by Trafford Domestic Abuse Service, and their performance was funded by Trafford Housing Trust.
Afterwards Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, described the young performers as “incredibly talented”.
“I certainly hope there is a lesson here for everyone,” she said.
“If you know someone is being subjected to domestic abuse then please say something as it could save a life.
“I am pleased to support the work of Footlights, and their performances bring to life complex issues like domestic violence and help to provoke discussion and awareness of such difficult subjects, especially among young people.”
Stretford Mall shopping centre manager Gareth Wilkins said: “It is a difficult subject but one that needs highlighting. Domestic abuse must not be tolerated in our society.
“We at Stretford Mall are proud to have been able to host this talented group of young performers to get their message across.”
The production was almost entirely the work of the youngsters themselves, who were guided by drama teacher and director Tania Sparke.
But Tania said most of the credit had to go to the members themselves.
“They have done a huge amount of research on the subject and put the whole thing together, having been working on it since January,” she said.
“Young people often don’t realise it is happening, but abuse can take many forms – emotional abuse and controlling behaviour, not just physical abuse,” said Tania.
An incident of domestic abuse is reported to the police every minute, and an average of two women a week are killed by their current or former partner.
The performance highlighted that many cases go unreported until it is too late.
Fifteen-year-old Daisy Nicholson, a member of Footlights for the past four years, said every member had played an equal part in the preparations.
“It’s been really good being involved in every aspect of it and trying to show the importance of healthy relationships.
“Domestic abuse is not something that is normally discussed,” she said.
The Stretford Mall performance was the third and final in a series this summer, following presentations last week at Oldham Theatre Workshop Studio and Gorse Hill Studios.
“At every one we have had a really good response,” said Daisy.
“What we are really hoping for is to obtain funding to enable us to take it into local schools to help raise awareness of the issue,” said Tania.
Footlights is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and recently won a community category award in the annual Salford Business Awards.
Its founder and managing director Jo Fisher said she was proud of the youngsters’ work in arranging and performing “Invisible”.
Previous presentations have featured equally sensitive issues such as reaction to the terrorist attacks in Paris in November last year.
“I strongly believe in making use of drama as an educational source and a means of changing society,” said Jo. “That is why it would be such a good thing to be able to go into schools to get children discussing these issues. Children as young as four or five should be made aware of the importance of good relationships.”
