A new interactive play will take to the stage in Worcester next month to help teach audiences about the dangers of loan sharks.
The play, called Deep Water, sees a student falling victim to a money-lender who at first appears to be helpful and supportive but is actually operating as a loan shark.
Once the play has been performed, it is repeated and the audience is invited to stop the action and redirect what choices the actors make to create a different, more positive outcome.
Deep Water has been created by Crave Arts, a not-for-profit company based in Worcester, using funding from the England Illegal Money Lending Team – known as Stop Loan Sharks. The money has come from funds seized from convicted loan sharks across England under Proceeds of Crime legislation.
Dave Benbow, acting head of the IMLT, said: “The team at Crave Arts have created brilliant play which will really engage audiences and help them see how illegal lenders can be avoided by making different choices.
“We really hope it sends the message that illegal lenders are not the answer and there are other, safer options available for people when they need to borrow. It’s fantastic to see the ill-gotten gains of illegal lenders being used in this way to help in the fight to stop them.”
A spokesperson for Crave Arts added: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this funding to raise awareness of manipulative loan sharks to people in Worcester.
“Stories can be powerful ways of conveying important messages and we hope that our play lets people know about the help that is out there to prevent loan sharks wreaking destruction on people’s lives.”
Many illegal money lenders are well known within communities and often pretend to be a friend offering a favour. But they are unregulated and can charge very high interest rates, using threats, intimidation and even violence if repayments are not made.
Stop Loan Sharks is a national organisation hosted by Birmingham City Council, that investigates and prosecutes loan sharks and supports borrowers. It was set up 20 years ago and since then has supported more than 32,000 borrowers, securing 424 successful prosecutions.
Performances of Deep Water will take place in November to sixth formers at Christopher Whitehead Language College, to service users of Worcester Probation and to people who attend ASPIE at Vesta Tilley House, Worcester.
To find out more about the Deep Water performances and the play, visit cravearts.co.uk
If you or anyone you know has been affected by an illegal lender, you can call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
