Meet best mates Dan and Jay, about to finish school and considering their career options. Dan is a rapper starting to gain exposure; Jay is an aspiring footballer with forthcoming trials for professional clubs. Both are desperate to leave ‘The Wood’, the estate where they live where gangs, crime and violence are the norm.

But everything changes when Dan is robbed by a gang and seeks revenge by joining a rival gang – and Jay reluctantly tags along. Suddenly they can earn respect and money, and ‘The Wood’ is transformed into their ‘red carpet’. The pressure is on though – rival gangs start to threaten, tensions rise and the boys must decide whether or not to carry a knife.

Our thought-provoking show and workshop programme which focuses on the complex, interrelated issues of knife crime, gang violence and self-identity.

“Switch Up challenges the audience to consider the consequences of carrying a knife. It is very much recommended for all young people to see.”

“It was sensational and moving, providing important information at a level our students could understand and engage with.”

“Switch Up helped us fulfil contextual safeguarding and we were able to react to recent incidents we are seeing in the community.”

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