Railway safety play Off the Level, developed by Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre in partnership with Network Rail, embarks on a two-week tour in September delivering a vital message to 13 schools and hundreds of students.
The theatre-in-education play was devised to raise awareness about the dangers of level crossings. It focusses on three students who use the local level crossing several times a day but is mixed with testimonies from a train driver, British Transport policeman, teacher and a mother who have all had tragic experiences.
Targeting schools which are situated close to level crossings, the Off the Level team will visit All Hallows, Romsey, Sutton High, Westgate, Broadwater, The Beacon, Hounsdown, Oasis Academy Mayfield, Richmond Park, Connaught, Salesian Eggars and Ash Manor School between 8 and 17 September.
Head of the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre, Adam Forde, explained, "it's such a brilliant opportunity to take Off the Level into these schools free of charge.
"The message is so important that we want to reach the widest possible audience of young people.
"It is an issue that is rarely out of the news for long and sadly so many young people are affected by accidents and incidents on level crossings. It's a strong piece of theatre which gets the message home without preaching to or patronising the audience."