The star of a poignant new production at Oxford Playhouse tells KATHERINE MACALISTER how his cousin’s death inspired fellow actors to tackle the issue of knife crime.

Gang culture is a big departure for the Oxford Playhouse.

That and knife crime or ‘shanking’ as it’s called in Chickenshed’s latest production Crime Of The Century – a particularly poignant departure following the death of a young father who was stabbed in Oxford at the weekend.

But when Chickenshed member Shaquille Smith, 14, right, was stabbed last year, his family was determined he wouldn’t become just another statistic.

Instead of seeking retribution, his cousins and fellow theatre members wanted to highlight the issues facing teens in urban areas and the result is Crime Of The Century.

But the best person to tell us about it is Shaquille’s cousin Daniel, main picture, who plays his killer in this new production.

The 24-year-old explains: “We wanted something positive to come out of all this, rather than seek revenge or vengeance, and thought this was the best way to go about it.”

So when did the idea for the show first take shape?

“The Monday after Shaquille died. Chickenshed had wanted to do something about knife crime, but after Shaquille was stabbed it suddenly become much more relevant and we had to address the issue immediately. It needs to be out there.”

Daniel plays Shaquille’s murderer, not an easy role for a close relative. “I had to get my head around it because it’s not me and I’m not like that, I’m not that sort of person. I’ve met people with that mentality though – with no hope or goals – and I have to go on that journey every night on stage and become that character, so it has been difficult.

“But just turning this into something positive is an achievement and makes it worthwhile. For me it’s not like reliving Shaquille’s death every night, it’s more hopeful and positive than that.”

So what’s the show about?

“It’s such a high energy show, with a fast pace, dance and music, that it only hits me when we’ve done the last scene about the message and the journey I’ve just gone through. It really packs a punch.”

Not only is there a moral message in Crime of the Century, but the production company Chickenshed has kept many North London teens off the streets.

“For lots of kids who have joined Chickenshed it’s the difference between that or nothing. Because lots of teens don’t want to work hard and hold down a job. They want to hang out with their mates and that’s why they get into badness, trying to stay with their friends. But Crime of the Century is about the need to have your own mind and make your own decisions and choices, and what happens if you make the wrong choices because then you’re fast-tracked. Without Chickenshed I probably would have dropped out of school because until then I wasn’t very good at sticking at anything. But then nothing gives me a thrill like performing,” he says.

Crime Of The Century is touring colleges and schools all over the country to get the message across.

“I think because it’s a true story it gives the production more depth and heaviness, that’s why it’s so powerful.

“The message is strong. It’s not just about the consequences of your actions but what effect they have on others.”

Daniel, 24, grew up in Enfield, north London, and said gang culture is easy to fall into.

And yet, on stage every night, he’s hoping to make a difference.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved,” he adds. “We’ve had five star reviews and people said it was the best show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

“And it’s not an easy subject – yet people are still coming back for more. But then this issue isn’t going to go away overnight.”

Crime Of The Century opens for one night only at the Oxford Playhouse on Thursday, May 13. Call the box office on 01865 305305.