Croydon Community Against Trafficking (CCAT) is presenting a theatre double bill at Selsden Hall this November to raise awareness about sex trafficking in the borough.

The group was formed four years ago with the aim of eliminating human trafficking for sexual exploitation in Croydon and the two shows are designed to examine the issues.  The first performance of the night is in a Thousand Pieces, by the Paper Bird Company. In 2008, it won both the Fringe First Award and the Fringe Review Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It was also shortlisted for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award.

CCAT’s Anna Arthur says: “It follows the story of a young Eastern European woman who comes to the UK and is put to work in a brothel.  “A cast of three play the part of the girl, sometimes all at the same time.  “It is a very physical, choreographed piece and uses projection and music.

“I first saw it when it was on at the Soho Theatre and I am definitely a fan.  “Working for CCAT, you can become a bit desensitised but, watching that piece, I went straight back to the way I felt when I heard about trafficking for the first time.   “It reminded me how powerful art is and how it can touch you.”

The second half of the evening, Off the Menu, has been devised by a group of students from The BRIT School’s theatre department.

Arthur says: “We played them a recording of a member of CCAT calling a so-called spa that we knew was a brothel.  “The woman who answered the phone sounded so normal, offering him girls of different nationalities. It was like ordering pizza. The students were very shocked.  “I think the evening will be very moving for people, so we will have lots of members of CCAT there to talk to people afterwards and to answer questions.”

In a Thousand Pieces (the Paper Birds Theatre Company) and Off the Menu (the BRIT School), Selsdon Hall, Addington Road, November 7, 7.30pm, £12. Call 07733 221949 or 07535 693931 or visit theccat.com