Shoplifter<>Shapeshifter is a new project supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
“When I was 14 I ran a shoplifting business.
It started because I desperately wanted blue nail polish from Miss Selfridge but I had no money and knew that nail polishes were treats for birthdays or Christmas.
I wanted what the popular kids had. But my Mum had no means to give it to me, we were a single parent family and lived on her disability benefits. And I was impatient.
So I started to shoplift.
Nail polishes turned to Kangol hats from Jenners which turned into a profitable wee business.
It wasn't about the thrill of shoplifting; it was about looking good and fitting in.
Over 20 years on and I'm no longer a small- time career criminal but I am acutely aware of the pressures on young people to look, dress and act a certain way.”
Shoplifter<>Shapeshifter was performed at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival and at the Merchant City Festival.
It is available for bookings throughout 2019/20