Pleasance
If you have older kids, teenagers, or young adults in tow, put CODE at the top of your Fringe list. Produced by physical theatre company Justice in Motion, this raw, high-energy performance addresses a prevalent subject too often ignored: the grooming and exploitation of vulnerable youth by organised crime gangs.
Set against an urban London estate, we follow teenager Nicky. Bullied at school, he seeks refuge with an older crew- his ‘tribe’- who promise to ‘look after him’. What starts with a simple package drop in exchange for a pair of new trainers spirals rapidly into coercion, knife crime, and gang violence.
The storytelling relies on breathtaking physical theatre, live rap, and jaw-dropping BMX and parkour stunts. The spectacle draws the audience in, but the real impact lies in the message.
Working in the criminal justice sector, this story is far too familiar. CODE strips away the glamorised stereotypes to show the quiet coercion and fear behind county lines exploitation, offering young audiences a vital blueprint for spot-checking these risks in their own lives.
It is authentic, gripping, and deeply moving. Essential viewing for ages 12+; and a must-see for families and school groups alike. One of my top 5 shows seen so far.
Our mini-reviewer said: “I was so impressed by the BMX skills and parkour!”
(Written by Annette So)
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