Phyllida Lloyd to direct new Grenfell Tower play at the National Theatre

Grenfell: in the words of survivors will use contributions from local people and organisations to explore the impact of the 2017 fire on the high rise building.

Gillian Slovo’s Grenfell: in the words of survivors will open at the National Theatre later this year. The verbatim play will run in the Dorfman Theatre from 13 July to 26 August.

Slovo’s play incorporates conversations from those impacted by the fire that broke out in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower, killing 72 people. Slovo remains in direct contact with everyone who contributed stories for the play — all participants were invited to a reading of the play during its development.

The play runs in three parts: first-hand accounts from community members, then a section covering the night itself, and a short film to represent the voices of the survivors as they campaign for justice.

Joseph Alessi, Jackie Clune, Houda Echouafni, Mona Goodwin, Keaton Guimarães-Tolley, Ash Hunter, Pearl Mackie, Rachid Sabitri, Michael Shaeffer, and Nahel Tzegai star.

Phyllida Lloyd and Anthony Simpson-Pike direct, with set and costume design by Georgia Lowe, lighting design by Azusa Ono, and sound design by Donato Wharton.

Grenfell: in the words of survivors is at the National Theatre.

Photo credit: Grenfell: in the words of survivors (Photo courtesy of production)