Our Premiere Event
“Kofi’s Story”, Kent Opera's dramatic tale of a young person caught up in knife crime, premiered in December last year at The Prince’s Trust South London Headquarters, in front of an invited audience, which included Neve Conlan who had directed and produced the film.
Kent Opera’s chair, Robert Lacey, welcomed guests before the preview, after which he was joined on stage by David Williams, our Musical Director. David works directly with young people at risk to deliver our knife crime-related workshops, and he spoke passionately about his work and its positive impact.
Jack Rowlands, Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police, then gave his perspective into the scale and seriousness of knife crime in London — and the importance of early intervention such as ours.
Kate Ruby, a board member who herself is heavily involved in youth support and rehabilitation, closed the evening with an invitation for people to help fund our 2024 campaign “Bluntly Put”. This will engage with more young people who are at risk, through a number of planned workshops.
Carol singers added a festive feel to an insightful and very enjoyable evening. To find out more about our work and how you can support us, please contact info@kentopera.org
Kofi's story - an educational talk
Kofi’s Story — Kent Opera's real-life dramatisation of a young man caught up in knife crime — premiered at an event hosted by The Prince’s Trust just before Christmas 2023.
The enactment of the true story, which was directed and recorded by film student Neve Conlan, was the culmination of our 2023 campaign “Lives Not Knives” to fight weapons with words.
Our campaign objective was twofold – to work directly with young people who were at risk, and to utilise their experiences in a way that would inform others.
Holding regular knife crime-related workshops throughout the year, we worked one-to-one with young people who were involved — or in danger of being involved — in knife crime. Whilst supporting and helping them to find a positive way forward, Kent Opera captures their stories, which we craft into performative narratives.
Kofi’s Story (previewed here) is our first dramatisation of a true story. As we work to create more this year with our 2024 Campaign “Bluntly Put”, we are keen to share Kofi’s experience with a wider audience to educate others on the dangers of carrying a weapon.
Kofi's Story
Our short film is the culmination of our 2023 Campaign — 'Lives not Knives'.
The drama tells the real life story of a young man caught up in knife crime — and how two lives were lost in one day. Acted by William Barnor, ‘Kofi’s Story’ was directed by film student Neve Conlan, and edited by Danylo Borodai, a young Ukrainian recently arrived in London.
‘Kofi’s Story' was unveiled at a ceremony on Tuesday 19 December 2023 at the Prince’s Trust, London, before being distributed in schools and youth centres to educate young people on the dangers of carrying a knife.
You can view Kofi's story by clicking here
