Today’s Editorial, June 28: Help fight crime

Editor

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If you’re 18 to 25 years old we suggest you change any plans you have tonight or this weekend.

The Cayman Drama Society has something to show you.

And you can see it for free.

CDS is staging the play Elmina’s Kitchen starting tonight through 15 July.

This play is not for the faint of heart.

The original play is filled with violence and bad language.

As such, no one under the age of 18 will be allowed to see the staging.

When Kwame Kwei–Armah wrote the play he penned a tense story of gun crime, racism and a difficult father–son relationship.

The play is set in a West Indian café in London’s Hackney and focuses on three generations of black men: Clifton a man who abandoned his wife and sons, Deli his youngest son who runs Elmina’s Kitchen and his grandson Ashley, whose only ambition in life comes on four wheels.

Deli may have learned that crime doesn’t pay, but his son is seduced by his friend Digger, a ruthless criminal immersed in the gun culture.

The original script has been toned down a bit for staging in the Cayman Islands, but it still contains occasional profanities.

Essentially the play has a very powerful message about the dangers of getting mixed up in crime.

That’s why it is so important that young adults see the play.

Butterfield Bank stepped in to pick up the price of the tickets for those 18 to 25 as an incentive for that age group to see the play.

CDS is trying to take the message of the play one step further.

The play will be professionally filmed and it is hoped that it can be shown in schools and at youth group meetings.

Offering the play for free is another way that corporate citizens are helping in the fight against crime and Butterfield is to be commended.

Parents are also encouraged to slot aside some time to see the play, either at its opening tonight or some evening while it is running.

The play is being staged at the Prospect Playhouse at Red Bay.

Be sure to thank the Cayman Drama Society and Butterfield Bank for their efforts at addressing crime in the Cayman Islands.

Doing so in a play is a unique way to get the message across.