Chelsea’s Choice, which is supported by Cambridge City Council, is being staged at community centres over the next few weeks, and is free to people aged 13 and above.
The hard-hitting drama, by production company Alter Ego, tells the story of three students who discover the diary of a teenage girl called Chelsea. The diary reveals how Chelsea meets an adult, who uses various methods to start dominating her life, in order to exploit her sexually and emotionally.
Among the themes explored by Chelsea’s Choice are healthy relationships, internet safety, grooming, substance abuse, identifying risky situations and sexual exploitation of children.
The play lasts 40 minutes and is followed by a Question and Answer session, at which the audience will have the opportunity to discuss some of the issues raised.
The production has toured nationally, and has been seen by more than 400,000 young people across the country, as well as hundreds of professionals who work with children and young people.
Cllr Richard Johnson, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “I’d encourage anyone to go and see one of the performances of ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ at one of the local community centres in the coming weeks.
“As well as being an excellent play in its own right, it raises some important issues that could help people in the community recognise some of the ways in which youngsters can be put at risk of exploitation, and even prevent this from happening.”
Performances of Chelsea’s Choice
Cherry Hinton Village Centre, Colville Road, CB1 9EJ – Monday 22 February, 7pm-9pm
Meadows Community Centre, 1 St Catharine’s Road, CB4 3XJ – Monday 7 March, 1.30pm-4pm
Brown’s Field Youth and Community Centre, 31a Green End Road, CB4 1RU – Tuesday 8 March, 1.30pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm
Performances are free, but anyone interested in attending should book a space in advance by contacting Jo Ashton by email: jo.ashton@cambridge.gov.uk or by phone on 01223 420309.
For more information about Chelsea’s Choice and production company Alter Ego, visit www.alteregocreativesolutions.co.uk
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Contacts
Cllr Richard Johnson (Labour group), Executive Councillor for Communities, email: richard.johnson@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 07712 129529
Cllr Zoe O’Connell (Liberal Democrat group), Opposition spokesperson, email: zoe.oconnell@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 07932 679179
Cllr John Hipkin (Minorities group), Opposition spokesperson, email: castleindependent@gmail.com, tel: 01223 564126
Liz Bisset, Director of Customer and Community Services, email: liz.bisset@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 01223 457801
Paula Bishop, Children and Young People’s Manager, email: paula.bishop@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 01223 458453
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Drama raises awareness of child sexual exploitation
18 February 2016
A play being performed in Cambridge is aiming to raise awareness among audiences about the sexual exploitation of children.