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Grenfell: in the words of survivors

a new play by Gillian Slovo

'Grenfell in the words of survivors' in black on a green background

Booking and details

For a limited time only
Watch on National Theatre at Home

It was my safest place. It was home.

A powerful new verbatim play from the testimony of residents at the heart of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Six years on, interviews conducted with a group of survivors and bereaved reveal the impact of the multiple failures that led to a national disaster, asking: how do we stop this ever happening again?

Created from these interviews by Gillian Slovo (Another World: Losing our Children to Islamic State), the play is co-directed by Phyllida Lloyd (The Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy) and Anthony Simpson-Pike (The P Word).

Startling and deeply moving, it explores the courage and resilience of an ill-treated community and their continued campaign for justice.

Grenfell: in the words of survivors is part of a multi-year programme of National Theatre creative activity in North Kensington, delivered in collaboration with local community organisations.

Performed 13 July — 26 August 2023 in the Dorfman Theatre.

Q&A

How have survivors and bereaved families been involved in making the play?

Will the National Theatre be making a profit from this play?

How are you working with the North Kensington community?

What welfare support is in place for survivors and bereaved?

Suitability

Please note: This production does not include images or depictions of smoke or fire. The production does contain adult themes and describes the experiences of the night of the Grenfell Tower fire, which some people may find upsetting.

For further details on the synopsis and self-care practices, please download our Self-Care Guide.

The Self-Care Guide is also available to download in Arabic and Farsi.

For further information on the welfare support available for audience members, please see our Q&As above.

Supporters

Our community engagement programme in North Kensington is generously supported by John Lyon’s Charity.

Grenfell: in the words of survivors is supported by the Arete Foundation, who support the National Theatre to make work that is ambitious and socially relevant.

Video

Play Video

‘Stand in the shoes of residents’

Gallery

Cast includes

Production team

Writer

Gillian Slovo

Gillian Slovo

Co-Director

Phyllida Lloyd

Phyllida Lloyd

Co-Director

Anthony Simpson-Pike

Anthony Simpson-Pike

Set and Costume Designer

Georgia Lowe

Georgia Lowe

Lighting Designer

Azusa Ono

Azusa Ono

Sound Designer

Donato Wharton

Donato Wharton

Composer

Benjamin Kwasi Burrell

Benjamin Kwasi Burrell

Additional Music

Brain Rays

Video Designer

Akhila Krishnan

Akhila Krishnan

Movement Director

Chi-San Howard

Chi-San Howard

Casting Director

Alastair Coomer CDG

Alastair Coomer CDG

Casting Director

Chandra Ruegg

Chandra Ruegg

Voice and Dialect Coach

Hazel Holder

Hazel Holder

Wellbeing Practitioner

Ashley Miller

Ashley Miller

Staff Director

Aaliyah Mckay

Aaliyah Mckay

Film created in collaboration with TEA films

Illustration by Anthony Burrill