University News Last updated 08 July 2022
Students from Birmingham City University have worked with Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) West Midlands to create a theatre production designed to help people spot the early signs of radicalisation.
The live performance piece, which has been written, produced and acted by seven Applied Theatre students, explores important topics like vulnerability, radicalisation and how to get help.
Synergy Theatre is an adaptation of an existing Counter Terrorism training package, which uses students’ own interpretations of radicalisation. The project was developed with the support of a graduate of the University’s Criminology, Policing and Investigation course who is now working with the Counter Terrorism team.
The group of students launched Synergy Theatre with two performances to their classmates and secondary school students, as well as Counter Terrorism Policing partners.
The live shows have been used to gain feedback before the performance and the production will be recorded and adapted into a digital toolkit, which will be available to schools and communities across the region.
The performance centres on Sam, a young vulnerable individual who is being radicalised online. Sam’s story navigates through changes in behaviour and identifies some of the early indictors that those closest can look out for.
The performances took place at the Lab in the Conservatoire at the end of June, and included breaks for discussion which encouraged the audience to explore different ideas and discuss Sam’s behaviours.
There were no right or wrong answers – the aim was to provoke discussion and look at the different ways that young people can be supported.
Course Director of the BA (Hons) Applied Theatre, Peter Wynne-Willson said:
Head of Prevent at CTP West Midlands Superintendent Nick Dale added: “Presenting this training through performance allows the audience to visualise how the subtle signs of vulnerability to radicalisation can be recognised.
“The style of Forum Theatre also encourages audience interaction throughout, exploring different ideas, concerns and queries that may be presented.
“We’re really proud of the product that the students have created. They developed a script and produced the performance by drawing on their own experiences and interpretations of what radicalisation looked like for them.
“The idea to create and deliver an exclusive live performance is really innovative and we hope to see the digital toolkit used in communities across the region.”