Gay Jewish actor offers vandals an alternative response to their homophobic graffiti

An actor is offering two tickets to the vandals who scrawled 'shame' on a poster promoting a LGBTQ arts festival in north-west London.

Tom Ross-Williams has bought two tickets to his play RUN and left them at the JW3 arts centre box office, should the vandals want to watch a performance.

“I think we really need to start reaching beyond our echo chambers, now more than ever," he said.

"There’s a real danger that we are going to get narrower and narrower and the world will become a more hateful and heinous place.”

Tom said his reaction stems from his work with children and young adults, a demographic where he says homophobia is rife.

“I’m extending an invitation to have a conversation and I really mean a conversation. I’d be totally willing for them to come and watch the show and explain why they feel it’s wrong and speak to them about how the play has affected their views. I want to ask how we can work together.”

RUN explores the relationship between religion and sexuality. It tells the tale of two lovers brought together by their faith and reflects the reality of a young teenager falling in love for the very first time.

Watch the video above to hear more from Tom Ross-Williams about his reaction to the incident.

For more video features, visit the Evening Standard YouTube channel.

RUN will be previewed at JW3 on Wednesday March 8 and plays at The Bunker March 20 - April 1 at 7.30pm (with Thurs, Sat and Sun matinees at 3pm) Tickets available here.