Adjoa Andoh, Rosie O'Donnell, and Others to Star in Play Based on Gisele Pelicot's Husband's Trial
A production titled The Pelicot Trial, described as a one-off "documentary theatre" performance, will feature Adjoa Andoh, Rosie O'Donnell, and Julie Hesmondhalgh among thirty actors and public figures, based on the trial of Gisele Pelicot's husband.
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According to the BBC UK, Adjoa Andoh, Rosie O'Donnell, Julie Hesmondhalgh, and Tamzin Outhwaite will participate in The Pelicot Trial, a performance that will take place at London's County Hall next month. This production, which is described as a one-off "documentary theatre" style performance, has been created using documents from the trial and psychiatric reports from numerous men who were prosecuted in the case. This case garnered international attention and led to Gisele Pelicot becoming a symbol of resistance against sexual assault in France and globally.
Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping his then wife, and for permitting 50 other men to rape her while she was unconscious. The cast also includes Juliet Stevenson from Truly, Madly, Deeply, Samuel West from All Creatures Great and Small, Oliva Wiliams from Sixth Sense, and Kadiff Kirwan from Slow Horses. Comedian Rosie Jones, Sharon Duncan-Brewster of Dune, Lorraine Ashbourne from Bridgerton, and Jordan Stephens of Rizzle Kicks will also be involved.
Further casting for the four-hour play, which was developed in collaboration with feminist organizations and journalists in France, is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The Young Vic theatre will stage The Pelicot Trial at London's County Hall on November 30, and it will also be available for online streaming. The Young Vic stated that the performance is a "profoundly affecting piece of documentary theatre, comprised of testimonies and written accounts from the trial, (which) pays tribute to the ordinary woman who opened the way to change."
Gisele Pelicot, who is 73, chose to waive her right to anonymity as a survivor of sexual abuse, asserting that the blame should rest with her abusers, not with her. The Pelicot Trial previously had its world premiere in Vienna last year and has subsequently toured to locations such as Avignon, New York, Lisbon, Milan, and Bergen. Tickets for the London performance will become available for general sale on Wednesday.
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