Gun violence, unemployment, racial injustice.

They’re issues that impact every family in Bermuda. Dale Butler is hoping that connection will draw people in.

Shannon Hall plays the lead character Marcus in the prolific writer’s play, Sinnerman: Death in One Colour.

He’s relatively new to Bermuda’s entertainment scene. Two years ago he lost his job; he’s used the time to follow his dreams.

“I’ve done electrical work, waiting tables, bartending, been a forklift operator, warehouse worker, pool cleaner, you name it,” he said.

“Because I have skills I can make money but I’m trying to find a foot in the performing arts world. I’ve been painting, writing poetry ... I like it. Unemployment has provided me with the opportunity. It gave me the time to think more creatively. When you’re working, it takes over your life. You can’t pursue art unless you’re a really focused person.”

Sinnerman follows a couple attempting to raise their orphaned grandchildren with “old-fashioned values”. Tragedy strikes just as one of their grandsons is getting ready to go abroad to study.

“It’s about the effect of gun violence, unemployment and racial injustice on a Bermudian family,” said Mr Hall. “It’s basically all set in a family home. Different characters in the family have different approaches to life. One’s actions in the outside world spills into the house.

“It’s about the gangs in Bermuda and things going on with the drug trade that affects the family. And it shows the contrast between older people and how they look at things, and younger people. It [begs the question], ‘Is someone justified in being a criminal sometimes?’ One of the characters is the victim of injustice.

“He acts out and causes problems in his own family — that happens a lot on this island. People have done things and are demonised for them but you have to ask why it was done in the first place. Did they choose to be evil, or were they encouraged to be that way?”

The 33-year-old has always wanted to perform but never had the money to go abroad to study acting as a craft.

“I used to act in high school, at Sandys Secondary,” he said. “Work took over when I graduated. One of my friends did a play with Dale Butler before and told him I was interested in performing arts and he gave me a chance, the main role in his story. I play Marcus, someone who gets sucked into a situation. I think it should resonate with a lot of people; just because you don’t make a lot of noise doesn’t mean you’re not suffering.

“I am hoping this will be the beginning of my career. I’m 33, so I don’t have that much time before I get old. I’m very happy I got this opportunity.”

Sinnerman: Death in One Colour runs Thursday through Saturday at St Paul AME Centennial Hall at 7pm. Tickets, $25, are available at the church and at Music Box.

Admission is $20 for a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.

For more information contact: daledbutler@gmail.com or 505-3409