Bradford Council hits back at criticism of play in Windhill

The play - promoted by an image showing hooded youths on a motorbike apparently being ridden across a recreation ground - has been co-created by the local authority’s Bradford Youth Service and Common Wealth Theatre.

But the concept has been branded a "disgrace", with some on social media claiming it glorified an activity that has become an everyday blight in some Bradford communities.

“Off Road” will be showcased at Windhill Community Centre, in Church Street, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week.

It has been promoted by the council on its Facebook and Twitter pages.

The post said: “Get ready for a protest, rave and bike show all in one!

“Off Road rewrites narratives around anti-social behaviour and tells stories of growing up through live music and film shot on smartphones.”

Bradford Council's tweet about Off Road (Image: Twitter)

The production was promoted with a picture of three youths on a motorbike with an “L” plate stuck to the front of it.

The heavily-criticised image is set on the backdrop of a football field and only one of the motorbike’s riders is depicted wearing a helmet – the other two have hoodies on that they look to be covering their faces with.

Mahmoona Shah responded on Twitter with: “This is wrong on so many levels.

“Protest should be about challenging the dangerous use of vehicles not legitimising the behaviour and the impact it has on communities.

“This also fails to acknowledge environment-related issues associated with motor vehicle glorification.”

Jen Brook said on Facebook: “Glorifying criminal and anti-social activity, not even initiated by the youngsters.

“Do you actually live in one of the areas plagued by the horrendous noise night and day? By the drugs and thievery? Or do you live in an affluent leafy suburb?”

Meanwhile, Nikos Stavropoulos said: “You can't be serious. What is the alternative narrative promoted with this image? Could you have got it more wrong?”

One person on Twitter questioned the appropriateness of the promotion and associated image just days after an 18-year-old was killed in a crash on a motorbike in Wakefield Road.

They said: “I’m all for Bradford embracing arts and culture. However, with a fatal motorbike accident on Friday is an image like this really appropriate?”

Bradford Council has rejected the idea that the play glorifies anti-social behaviour and claims it has already witnessed a “positive change in attitudes” after four months of working on the project.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “This is certainly not a show about glorifying anti-social behaviour, but about raising awareness and having real conversations with young people, challenging them to think about their life and the choices they make which have an impact on them, their loved ones and their communities.

“Off Road is the result of four months of intensive work between Bradford Youth Service and Common Wealth.

“And with the support of our Neighbourhood Services, Culture Team, and the Police we’ve done workshops with local young people to explore how they might do something different with their future.

“Theatre gives young people a way to share their experiences and the opportunity for audiences to see the world through their eyes.

“We have already seen a positive change in attitudes and believe this is a good means of encouraging accountability and improving their connection with their communities.

“It’s a catalyst for reducing anti-social behaviour and influencing a positive change in behaviours.”

The play will be showcased at Windhill Community Centre, in Church Street (Image: Google Street View)

Evie Manning, Co-Artisitic Director of Common Wealth Theatre, said: “Common Wealth have had the great privilege of working with young people in Windhill and Wrose for the past four months alongside Bradford Youth Service, engaging young people in creative activities and opening dialogue that explores the culture of off-road vehicles.

“We've seen real transformation in the young people we're working with who have created a powerful performance that shows the complexity of growing up in Bradford.

“We're proud the show has been programmed as part of BD: Festival as a platform representing contemporary life and all of the communities interest.

“We believe it is important to confront and discuss issues in our community in order to understand them and we're looking forward to engaging in conversation with audiences after the performances."

Conservative MP for Shipley Philip Davies believes in promoting freedom of speech and wished the youngsters who have created the play “good luck” but admitted he had declined an invite to watch the show and disagreed with its premise.

He said he was not sure whether Bradford Council had funded the production but it is not the type of thing it should be financing, if that was the case, or even promoting and the politician can understand people being upset with it.

Mr Davies added: “Quad bikes are an absolute menace in the local community, not least in Windhill where this is taking place.

“Windhill in my constituency has suffered from this.”