Christian Church, Christian faith, London, Rainbow Theatre, Willesden Green, young person,
Wednesday 19th November 2014
Over a thousand 14 – 25 year olds, from all over the UK, some accompanied by their parents, attended a life-changing performance at the UCKG HelpCentre in the Rainbow Theatre on Saturday 15 November.
The show was devised and presented by the Victory Youth Group (VYG) and was called ‘No Way Out’. The main attraction was a drama, set in a typical London or suburban front room, which told stories of young people hell-bent on self-destruction. None of them could see their way out of seriously troubled lives in which abuse, promiscuity and gangs played key parts.
One character, played by Rossana Soraya of Willesden Green was a young woman who had been abused as a child and threw herself into sex, believing there was no way out. This young person finally learnt to value herself and saw that it’s never too late to change.
The play also followed the life of a young man with neither future nor direction. Several actors, from the VYG portrayed him at different stages of his life, as he turned to gangs until life took an unexpected twist and finally realised it was time to start again.
The young actors impressed Councilor Sade Etti from Hackney, who was in attendance. She said: “The drama was absolutely amazing… I was captivated by these talented young people. Their work can help so many.”
Her views were echoed by Donrico Linton who travelled from Birmingham for the show and said: “I felt like I was a part of the drama it was so life like and engaging and clearly showed that there is a way out”.
Reflecting on her role, Rossana Soraya added that her character had a lot to do with the person she once was and the life she used to lead but has now left. “I loved being able to show young girls that no matter what happened, you can bury your past and have a brighter future it’s a choice that sets you free.”
Duaquane Edwards from Tooting, South London explained that the drama also echoed his former life. Indeed, he was the role model for the young man in the play. Knowing that others in the crowd could relate to his past, see how he survived and had found a way out of the terrible life he was leading, by attending an event like this made him happy, he said.
According to Alisha Usherwood of Southall: “All the stories had an element that everyone in the audience could relate to. No one left the event without a clear mind of where they are going in life from now on… It’s about the here and now, this is what we can control so lets change it today for a better tomorrow.”
In addition to the drama, No Way Out, the afternoon also included a talent show, singing, poetry readings and energetic freestyle dancing.
ENDS
Notes to editors
VYG is the UCKG HelpCentre’s youth group, and a major long term priority for the charity. Designed for 14 – 25 year olds, the VYG provides family-style peer group support and helps and encourages the young to be the best that they can be.
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via
e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.
