Playground Theatre Hosts Grenfell Tower Benefit

On Sunday June 9 London's newest venue, the yet to be opened Playground Theatre, will host an evening of entertainment, talks and refreshment's in support of those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, staged by local participatory theatre company S.P.I.D. Theatre. At the heart of the event will be a special performance of S.P.I.D's interactive theatre work iAm. This will be followed by refreshments, speeches and other entertainment into the evening until 9pm. Entry to the show and event will be free for Grenfell locals, with others encouraged to donate on the door.

Co-created by Mel. Cook & Helena Thompson, iAm takes the form of an interactive game in which players are invited to participate in a secret focus group play-testing a ground-breaking new technological innovation. The work explores our attachment to technology and the human costs we are willing to accept in the digital age.

When iAm premiered in collaboration with the Bush Theatre London, it gained critical acclaim and played to packed houses, picking up an Off West End Award nomination along the way.

Based in Kensal House in W10 S.P.I.D (Social Political Innovative Direct) has its heart in Latimer Road and Ladbroke Grove drawing on and working with young people from the local community. The company's mission is to use immersive arts events and participatory drama to bring people together. Grenfell Tower is part of the community in which the S.P.I.D operates. The charity has won Fringe Report's Best Outreach Award, the Apollo Award for youth work and a Young People Now award. S.P.I.D have previously collaborated with the National Theatre, the Gate and Riverside Studios.

The Playground Theatre, which is set to become the only theatre in North Kensington, is committed to the area. The theatre's mission is to stage a vibrant, exciting and entertaining programme of work that aims to engage and involve the local community at the same time as attracting audiences from across London and beyond. The aim is to produce at least one community project a year as well providing opportunities for young people within the locality on an ongoing basis. The Playground will also function as a local amenity with café bar and a programme of community engagement.

Playground Co-Artistic Directors Peter Tate and Anthony Biggs say
"When S.P.I.D approached us to host the event for those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy we did not hesitate to say 'yes'. The initial shock of the events of the night of June 14 were swiftly followed by an overwhelming desire to do something to help our local community and those who were caught up in the fire. S.P.I.D's theatrical work with young people of the area has offered what we feel is the perfect way to respond. We welcome them into the theatre as we welcome the whole community to come through our doors."

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