Disability hate crime play ‘Animals’ premieres at Town Hall

Disability hate crime play 'Animals'

The premiere of disability hate crime play ‘Animals…because hating is a crime’ took place at Rochdale Town Hall on Monday (22 February).

‘Animals’ was performed for two sold-out audiences of educators, care professionals, people with learning disabilities and young people, to raise awareness of disability hate crime and the importance of reporting it.

The hard-hitting play, set in and around a pet shop in Rochdale, followed the story of Max, a young man with a learning disability, who is subjected to physical, mental and financial abuse by a gang of youths he believes to be his friends.

Following the play audience members were given the chance to question the characters in a ‘Hot Seat’ session. This gave the audience an insight into the reasons people may become perpetrators of hate crime and why witnesses might not report it.

Over the past year disability hate crime has risen by 25 per cent across England and Wales and partners in the Rochdale borough are working together to end it for good.

Caroline Kennedy, Co-Director of Animals, said: “Raising awareness of disability hate crime is so important, as very often the victims are too scared or intimidated to report it.

"Animals is a very hard hitting play and at times uncomfortable to watch, but it was important for us to show the reality of what some people are unfortunately put through and how important it is to tell someone if you are a victim of witness.

"After such great feedback from the audience at Rochdale Town Hall, we are hoping be able to stage Animals again to raise awareness in the wider community.”

Rachel Law, Chief Executive of PossAbilities, said: "This play was fiction but the really sad fact is that hate crime is still very real and blights people's lives, especially people who are vulnerable or different in some way. We are determined to do everything to stamp it out.

"Many people have seen 'Animals' and were left in tears. It's a powerful way to get the message across, and we really want to take this play on tour so that as many people as possible can see it."

Animals, written by BAFTA nominated screenwriter and film maker Eleanor Yule, was commissioned by Heywood based PossAbilities, which supports people with learning disabilities, Rochdale Safeguarding Adults Board and Rochdale Borough Council’s Cohesion Hub.