This has been developed as part of Theatre Delicatessen’s Departure Point. Over three weeks we took over a space in Theatre Delicatessen in Sheffield where we were residents for our Research and Development. Period. We devised the work collaboratively with Jen Auger and Mike Auger of Displace Yourself Theatre.

The Human Movement is a piece that aims to raise questions and sparks debate around the causes and consequences of human trafficking. Reflecting the challenging theme, the team break traditional theatre conventions, using movement, narrative and sound to examine the truth about trafficking and challenging public perceptions. We also have key workers involved in the anti trafficking organisations on hand as research consultants to ensure authenticity and sensitivity. The piece will be intimate yet courageous, sensitive yet exposing. Through work with community groups we will provide a platform for debate, delving into the depths of this underworld and asking what would the universe look like if we took away the veil that is covering the stark reality.The Human Movement will investigate what it means to be trafficked, explore why it exists and ask who is responsible?

We worked with West Yorkshire Police and Palm Cove Society to inform our work. Palm Cove are an organisation who facilitate the recovery process for rescued victims and offer safe houses. They organised for us to meet with some of their residents who have been rescued for interviews to help inform the piece.

Human trafficking is the fastest growing international crime and is now the second largest illegal trade in the world. In the UK, you are never further than a mile away from someone who has been trafficked. West Yorkshire Police is among the forces which refers the most suspected trafficking cases to the Home Office or National Crime Agency. Between April and June 2015, the most recent period covered by statistics, it provided 17 of the 126 referrals from across the police service. And between October 2014 and October 2015, the number of intelligence reports about suspected trafficking or modern slavery created by the force had risen by 158 per cent to a total of more than 600 over 12 months.