City of Westminster College is delighted to announce the return of My Brothers and Sisters, a play commissioned by the College last year to demonstrate its commitment to the government’s Prevent duty. 

Following the success of the original London run, Mad ‘Ed Theatre will return to the Sarah Siddons Theatre for two weeks in February and March 2017 with the production, which this year has received funding from Westminster City Council’s PREVENT programme.

This one-act play revolves around missing 15-year-old Shamilla and her older brother Mohammed, whose whereabouts alert the authorities to a previously unremarkable family. Offering the audience a window into the lives of a family and their friends in modern Britain during the most challenging 48 hours they are ever likely to experience, the production draws uncomfortable connections between racism, austerity, immigration and a growing desire, in some, to head to the Middle East. Furthermore, the play examines our relationship to community and the casual exploitation of young women. 

The play garnered much attention when it premiered last January during a month dedicated by the College to addressing radicalisation, with the Times Education Supplement saying, “My Brothers & Sisters, use(s) the power of theatre to prevent radicalisation. It is genuinely thought provoking and at times genuinely funny, the audience is a near interactive presence.” Following the run at the College, the production performed at schools and colleges throughout the country, and has garnered much interest. 

The performances this month have been fully funded by Westminster PREVENT and pupils from schools across Westminster have been invited to attend the run. Following the run last year, 96% of students surveyed said they enjoyed the production and 87% said they knew more about radicalisation after the performance and related tutorial activities. 

My Brothers and Sisters will run from Monday 20th February, with three shows being performed every day. There will be four evening performances on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd February and Wednesday 1st March and Thursday 2nd March which will be followed by a Q&A with the writer, director and cast of the play. The 2017 production has undergone some recent re-writes following Brexit and the policies of the new US administration. 

In July 2015, all schools became subject to the Prevent duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 – this is intended to help schools think about what they can do to protect young people from the risk of radicalisation. 

Mad ‘Ed Theatre was set up by theatre and education professionals to develop interactive performance work connected to our everyday mental health and well-being. Founding and associate members, in addition to working with and supporting the company are employed by City of Westminster College, Kings College London and HM Prison Education Service. 

Tickets to the production can be booked via Eventbrite.