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‘Hot Chicks’ a new play about the criminal exploitation of children in Wales

14 March 2025
Dorottya Cserzo

Dorottya Cserzo

By Nina Maxwell

I had the opportunity to attend an open rehearsal and offer insights from my research for the brand new play, Hot Chicks.

Hot Chicks is an unsettling and darkly comic play that portrays the realities of child exploitation in Wales. Written by Rebecca Jade Hammond  the play reflects the realities of criminal exploitation as it draws upon the knowledge and experience of:

  • CMET: Contextual, Missing, Exploitation and Trafficking – Safeguarding Children and Young People in Swansea from Extra-Familial Harm
  • SAFE: Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitation in Cardiff
  • YMCA

Rebecca became aware of the criminal exploitation of children during the COVID pandemic. More recently, she noted the increase in criminally exploited girls:

“My research on this project over the last five years has deepened my understanding of the socio-political issues surrounding the child criminal exploitation crisis (especially in Wales) and the need for vital action, funding and protections put in place to stop young people being drawn into these drug networks. Once you are indoctrinated into these almost cult-like organisations, it is very hard to have the strength to leave because of the fear of putting your family or yourself in danger. Hot Chicks is a play about those young girls who fall through the cracks of education and society, forgotten and just looking for familial support and safety.”

The play has been developed by the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff and Swansea-based creative collective Grand Ambition.

Richard Mylan from Grand Ambition told us that:

“We founded Grand Ambition with the support of Swansea Council 3 years ago …  It is important to us to tell the stories of marginalised people, representing voices less frequently heard on our stages. To be able to join forces with Sherman Theatre to tell a powerful story, with Rebecca Hammond’s razor-sharp script is such a brilliant opportunity”

Alongside the play, the team are creating an educational resource thanks to support from Arts Council Wales and continued support from Swansea Council. The play is also supported by Welsh Government, UK Government, National Lottery Community Fund, and People’s Postcode Lottery/Postcode Community Trust.

Hot Chicks is showing from 21 March to the 5 April at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff  and from 16  to the 25 April 2025 at Swansea Grand Theatre.