13 April 2023 , 15:33
751
0
Almost six years ago, a fire broke out at Grenfell Tower in London which killed 72 people and left hundreds injured and homeless.
Now, the National Theatre (NT) is set to stage a new play based on first-hand survivor stories sharing the experiences of those living in the 24-storey tower block.
Written by Gillian Slovo and co-directed by Phyllida Lloyd and Anthony Simpson-Pike, the production also collected the stories of the bereaved and the wider community.
The play will be staged in London and consist of three parts - before, during and after the tragedy. The final chapter will display a short film from the surviving families about their struggle for justice.
Discover, learn, grow. We are Curiously. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Firefighter used selfie in front of smouldering Grenfell Tower on Tinder profile
A major fire broke out on June 14, 201, at Grenfell Tower (Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)After a long battle, almost 900 survivors agreed to a compensation settlement from the involved companies for the West Kensington disaster.
South African-born playwright, Slovo, said: "It has been my great privilege to help put the words of a group of survivors and bereaved onto the National Theatre stage.
"I learned a tremendous amount about why the tragedy of Grenfell happened, but even more importantly I learned about a community which banded together when the state, both big and small, failed them.
"I ended up understanding that the story of Grenfell is not about a single event, but about the economic and political structures in which we live and how as a society we let this happen."
Director Lloyd, known for Mamma Mia!, is joined by composer Benjamin Kwasi Burrell and vocla and dialect coach Hazel Holder.
The cast includes Hamilton and Bridgerton star Ash Hunter, Motherland actress Jackie Clune, Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie and star of both Bodyguard and The Salisbury Poisonings, Michael Shaeffer.
Phyllida Lloyd will direct the show (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)Hanan Wahabi, a survivor from the tragedy, said: "With each year that goes by our pain doesn't stop but we must keep our stories alive and at the forefront of people's minds.
"When people watch this play, I have no doubt that they will want to do something, whether through word of mouth or through action. The domino effect of this is the power."
As support for the community, anyone living in Kensington will be able to watch the production for free with half the tickets for each performance sold for less than £20. For those wanting to see the play but struggling financially, £10 tickets will be made available too.
Alongside the play, there is a two-year programme of engagement activity with the community surrounding Grenfell which will include workshops and free tickets for NT productions.
Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett mentoring young survivors of Grenfell fire
There will also be paid long and short-term work placements, collaboration on creative projects and learning programmes in local schools.
Hanan, who is a contributor and member of an advisory group formed to guide the production, added: "Throughout this process, I have felt supported by the team; everything has been on my own terms, and I felt that they truly knew me, and my family and they showed so much empathy, love and care."
The inquiry into the blaze is due to present its final report later this year.
Grenfell: In The Words Of Survivors runs at the NT's Dorfman Theatre from July 13 to August 26.