School pupils have been learning about domestic abuse through a play co-written by Manic Street Preacher and Blackwood son James Dean Bradfield.
The play, called A Lament for Moths, was shown to hundreds of pupils at Pontllanfraith and Heolddu Comprehensive Schools as well as their respective feeder primary schools.
Written by Patrick Jones, brother of Manic Street Preacher bassist Nicky Wire, with music by James Dean Bradfield, the story is told through the eyes of abuse victim Joe.
Aimed at 10 to 13-year-olds, the play looks at what or who creates violence and its effect on young people.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said: “This excellent production helps to establish in the minds of young people that abusive relationships are not acceptable.
The feedback gained from pupils and teachers alike has been very positive, with everybody agreeing that it was a very powerful production and a very good starting point to further classroom discussions on what can be a difficult curriculum area.”
The council’s domestic abuse co-ordinator Andrea Davies said: “The production is excellent in that it approaches very difficult issues including that of domestic abuse face on, and gives children the opportunity to discuss and analyse exactly what makes for better relationships.”