Dictating to the Estate is an original documentary play about events leading up the Grenfell Tower fire. Using only contemporary records, it tells the story of the refurbishment of the tower and residents’ attempts to hold the Council to account. At the same time, it places these events in a wider context of austerity, deregulation and estate regeneration.

Written by Nathaniel McBride, and co-directed by Lisa Goldman and Natasha Langridge, it will premiere at the Maxilla Social Club on 31 May 2022 and run for 13 performances until 12 June 2022.

The play is the result of several years’ research into the circumstances of the fire, and draws on council minutes and blogs, as well as the recent revelations of the public inquiry. Both its writer and its co-director live in Kensington and are involved in the campaign for justice for victims of the fire. Its video designer, Constantine Gras, is a local artist whose documentary Grenfell: the Untold Story, was broadcast on Channel 4 this year, and recently won a BAFTA.

The production has worked in collaboration with Grenfell United, which represents the bereaved and survivors of the fire, to ensure that it has their members’ support and consent for the project. It has also liaised closely with those residents who are portrayed in the play. It aims to show the efforts of local community activism to avert the fire, while exposing the negligence and indifference of those whose responsibility it was to keep them safe.

We have been able to bring together an exceptional cast and creative team. We know that this is a subject matter that is triggering for many. For this reason, we want to raise money for a mental health support worker to be around during performances (as well as to contribute to production costs)

Any further support that could be provided – of whatever kind – would be enormously appreciated. 

Thank you,

the DTTE team