Stop and Search, Public Interest by Common/Wealth, Credit Daniel Johnson Grey (23/05/2026).
Political performance raising awareness of the injustice of Joint Enterprise and criminalisation of working-class young people.
The Campaign
Part music video, part political theatre, Public Interest is an immersive large-scale show that asks how society can challenge the narratives spun about working-class young people. Public Interest explores real cases of Joint Enterprise (JE) to confront racist and classist discrimination within the justice system. A cast of rappers and DJs performed drill, grime, and bassline – the music weaponised against them – to tell their stories on their own terms and as a call to action. The team collaborated with JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association), a campaigning group of the families of young men. Predominantly of colour, unfairly imprisoned under JE. Public Interest uses JE as a lens to view discriminatory power systems to activate audiences.
JENGbA wall, Public Interest by Common/Wealth, Credit Daniel Johnson Grey (23/05/2026).
Being shortlisted for the SMK Creative Change-makers Award is massive for us. As a political theatre company, creating change is at the heart of what we do. For the show and campaign to be recognised in this way is testament to all the hard work and creativity from JENGbA who helped us create the show and who tirelessly campaign all year round for people who have been wrongly convicted. It is testament to all the performers who, with their talent and passion, brought the messages to life to connect with over a thousand audience members who in turn keep spreading the message: that the justice system discriminates against working class young people and needs significant and urgent change. We’re so proud that the show has connected with SMK and hopefully connects with more people through this award.”
Evie Manning
Co-Artistic Director, Common/Wealth
The Change
Common/Wealth Theatre attracted 1,123 audience members, including 39% from Bradford postcodes and 27% local youth/community groups. 225 young people were involved in workshop-auditions, with 29 directly involved in paid roles.
The ripples of the production are still happening, with many youth workers still referencing JE within their sessions. One cast member featured via video and audio is continuing this momentum and sharing his experience of sentencing and jail time through his YouTube channel.
Common/Wealth Theatre also held post-show discussions after every performance, which allowed audiences to understand more from the cast and people who have been to prison for Joint Enterprise and their families.
The Future
Common/Wealth Theatre hopes to tour the show with partners in Manchester, Birmingham, Hull, and London, and they will work alongside JENGbA to ensure that at every performance there will be post-show discussions to keep raising awareness and discussion of the issues within the show. They will also release the music video created in the show so that there is a creative digital legacy of the campaign that platforms the lyrics and messages of the show. As Evie put it, “We hope this tour will develop the campaign, bring awareness to more areas, strengthen our relationship with JENGbA and their groups within these locations.”
Who else was involved?
JENGbA; NGbA; Art Not Evidence; and Kim Johnson MP.
