SPID Theatre's new show is their latest production advocating for housing justice. This performance took place at the Bush Theatre.
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A youth theatre company have staged a new show, which aims to advocate for housing justice and inspire audiences to take action.
‘DIY: Live the History of Housing Justice’ recounts the rich history of 4 different estates – from their origins as 19th century slums to the high rise buildings they are today.
The show tells the story of the Londoners who fought and campaigned for housing reform throughout history, as well as shining a light on the issues still faced by residents today.
The production is the latest from SPID Theatre, a company who create work that celebrates council estates and gives a voice to people experiencing housing injustice. SPID’s shows are typically performed on council estates by casts of young people local to the area.
The cast of ‘DIY: Live the History of Housing Justice’ consisted of young people local to the estates featured.
The staging of this new show comes after SPID Theatre initiated legal action against the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) last year. The theatre company are usually based within the community rooms of Grade II-listed housing estate Kensal House in North Kensington; a block of flats which has suffered serious sewage leaks, floods and mould in recent years.
In a bid to restore the property to its former glory, SPID raised £4m to fund renovations of Kensal House. These were later delayed by the council, prompting the company and other residents to bring a class action lawsuit against the borough. They have asked RBKC for £700,000 in compensation to cover the cost of the delay, though mediation and negotiation of a final amount is still ongoing.
‘You have to unite and find your own way out’
SPID’s Artistic director Helena Thompson told CityNews that the company are dedicated to creating art that advocates for housing justice. She said that the title of this latest show, ‘DIY’, is a call for people to come together and take action.
“You don’t sit around waiting for other people to save you… you have to unite and find your own way out,” she added.
‘DIY: Live the History of Housing Justice’ will be performed again at the Victoria and Albert Museum on Saturday 10th February 2024.
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HeadlineYouth theatre company bring London’s housing history to life
Short HeadlineTheatre company stage history of London housing
StandfirstSPID Theatre's latest show, 'DIY: Live the History of Housing Justice', tells the story of 4 council estates in Kensington and Chelsea.
A youth theatre company have staged a new show, which aims to advocate for housing justice and inspire audiences to take action.
‘DIY: Live the History of Housing Justice’ recounts the rich history of 4 different estates – from their origins as 19th century slums to the high rise buildings they are today.
The show tells the story of the Londoners who fought and campaigned for housing reform throughout history, as well as shining a light on the issues still faced by residents today.
The production is the latest from SPID Theatre, a company who create work that celebrates council estates and gives a voice to people experiencing housing injustice. SPID’s shows are typically performed on council estates by casts of young people local to the area.
The cast of ‘DIY: Live the History of Housing Justice’ consisted of young people local to the estates featured.
The staging of this new show comes after SPID Theatre initiated legal action against the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) last year. The theatre company are usually based within the community rooms of Grade II-listed housing estate Kensal House in North Kensington; a block of flats which has suffered serious sewage leaks, floods and mould in recent years.
In a bid to restore the property to its former glory, SPID raised £4m to fund renovations of Kensal House. These were later delayed by the council, prompting the company and other residents to bring a class action lawsuit against the borough. They have asked RBKC for £700,000 in compensation to cover the cost of the delay, though mediation and negotiation of a final amount is still ongoing.
‘You have to unite and find your own way out’
SPID’s Artistic director Helena Thompson told CityNews that the company are dedicated to creating art that advocates for housing justice. She said that the title of this latest show, ‘DIY’, is a call for people to come together and take action.
“You don’t sit around waiting for other people to save you… you have to unite and find your own way out,” she added.
‘DIY: Live the History of Housing Justice’ will be performed again at the Victoria and Albert Museum on Saturday 10th February 2024.
