A four-hour theatrical production based on the trial of the men who drugged and raped Gisèle Pelicot will run for one night only at London County Hall this November, featuring a cast of well-known television actors. The Pelicot Trial: Tribute to Gisèle Pelicot arrives in the UK capital following international performances in New York City and Avignon, according to Nadia Fall, artistic director and co-chief executive of the Young Vic, which is staging the event.
The London County Hall Production and Cast Details
London County Hall, which also hosts Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, will stage the single-performance production this autumn. Fall stated that the ensemble will rehearse just once to accommodate the schedules of top-tier talent. According to Fall, the production features 27 actors, with the full company list to be announced before tickets go on sale in the coming weeks. “Because it’s one night only, what we are able to do is ring our best actors, people you will know ‘off the telly’ as well,” Fall said, adding that she expects the show to sell out immediately.
Origins of the Courtroom Play
The play was created by Swiss director and playwright Milo Rau and Servane Dècle. Rau has previously brought legal proceedings to the stage, including the trial of the Romanian despot Nicolae Ceaușescu and the Moscow trial of the Russian punks Pussy Riot. To build the script, journalists covering the Pelicot case provided Rau and Dècle with thousands of pages of their notebooks. “Everyone wanted to share with us,” Rau said. “It became a trial of our society, of the patriarchy.” Dècle noted that while the production is a harsh watch, very few audience members leave during the four hours, and the large majority of attendees have been female.
Context of the Pelicot Case in France
Gisèle Pelicot became known worldwide after she gave up her right to remain anonymous to ensure that her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, faced a public trial for drugging her into unconsciousness and inviting dozens of men from an internet forum to rape her for nearly a decade starting in 2011. In December 2024, Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and guilty verdicts were handed down for all 51 accused men. Gisèle Pelicot stated that she wanted the story to be public, saying “shame must change sides.” Rau described the theatrical adaptation as “more of a political act really, than a play,” noting it has toured in at least 15 different countries.
The Impact of Witnessing the Testimony
Fall described her initial experience seeing the production in French as jaw-dropping, harrowing, and emotional. “It was the act of witnessing that really got me: it is long-form and testimonial in form,” Fall said. Describing the staging, Fall noted that it avoids traditional sets and costumes in favor of the facts. Dècle recalled that Gisèle Pelicot herself attended a performance in New York City, remarking afterward that the actress was doing better than she did on trial. According to the creators, Pelicot agreed to the theatrical project to keep the conversation that was started by her trial going, with Rau stating, “We always say she opened the door, and we just keep it open.”
Frequently Asked Questions About The Pelicot Trial in London
Where and when is the play taking place in London?
The production will run for one night only this November at London County Hall.
Who created the production?
The play was created by Swiss director and playwright Milo Rau and Servane Dècle, utilizing notebooks compiled by journalists during the trial in France.
Did Gisèle Pelicot attend any performances?
Yes, Gisèle Pelicot traveled to New York City to watch a performance of the production.
How many actors are in the cast?
The production features an ensemble cast of 27 actors, with the full lineup to be announced ahead of ticket sales.