Unspoken panel discusses ‘the hard questions we aren’t asking’

A panel discussion was held this week to discuss the issue of violent crime in New Zealand in light of a hard-hitting play currently running at Silo Theatre.

A host of experts gathered for the free event titled Unspoken, which was organised by arts and culture website Pantograph Punch in association with Silo Theatre.

Ex-Youth Court Judge and founder of the Henwood Trust Judge Carolyn Henwood, sociology and criminology lecturer Dr Tracey McIntosh, youth coach and consultant Dr Paul Wood, and clinical psychologist Dr Ian Lambie were on the panel.

Their aim was to tackle ‘the hard questions we aren’t asking’, in relation and reaction to Silo Theatre’s latest production, The Events. Silo Theatre artistic director Sophie Roberts believes the play lends itself well to a discussion of this nature.

“I think it also gives the work a more specific context by landing the conversation in our own backyard and asking us to look at our own responses to violence in this country.”

The Events was written by Scottish playwright David Greig in response to the 2011 Norway mass shooting, and revolves around the community response to such a horrifying event.

Francis McWhannell attended the discussion as an audience member and found the event interesting. “It seemed like the sort of discussion that many middle New Zealanders would have benefited from,” said Mr McWhannell.

“To have a judge point out that violent crime is a political football, that no party seriously looks at how to deal with it, and that popular opinion often has more impact on decisions than experts like Lambie and McIntosh might have had quite an effect on the general public.”

Rosabel Tan, editor and co-founder of The Pantograph Punch, believes panel events like this are important.

“It's the kind of play that doesn't try to answer any questions, so there's value in creating opportunities, as many as possible, to delve into these further,” said Ms Tan.

“They may be conversations people have already had in the foyer after the show, or days later over a coffee, but the panel's an opportunity to also hear from experts: people who have been in prison, who have worked with violent offenders, and who look at the impact of crime on society.”

Tan admits the exercise was an experiment for her website. “It's the first time we've put on a free event, but we were determined to do this because we felt it was a truly important conversation and we didn't want the cost to become a barrier.

“We've been extremely lucky because both Q and Silo Theatre have come on board to support us doing this.”

For Ms Roberts, events like these are important. “I think they serve to enhance an audience's experience by extending the conversation beyond the production itself. ”

“I really commend Rosabel for the way she curated Unspoken because I don't think there are enough opportunities for people to come together and try to unpack really difficult questions.”

Donations at the event went to Victim Support, PARs and Pillars.