by Gillian Slovo from spoken evidence

After a sell-out run at the Tricycle Theatre, the critically acclaimed production transfers to Tottenham’s Bernie Grant Arts Centre in January.

Photo credit: Lewis Whyld/PA

BBC News reviews the reviews – click here to read more.

  ‘clear, gripping and necessary’ The Guardian

‘a thought provoking and admirably even-handed play’ The Daily Telegraph

‘this two-hour piece by novelist Gillian Slovo, deftly sculpted from the spoken evidence of those involved… the result is an absorbing experience’ Evening Standard

‘this powerfully performed piece makes you think without making your mind up for you’ The Independent

 ‘this lean, lively two-hour drama… offers a punchy, well-acted… explanation of how events in August began’ Time Out

 ’a provocative drama… this is essential theatre, expertly done’ Mail On Sunday

When the Government originally refused a Public Inquiry into the riots that shook our cities this Summer, the Tricycle mounted its own.

From tweets by taxi drivers, to moment-by-moment accounts by riot police, The Riots builds a real-time picture of events as they unfolded. And then, from interviews with politicians, police, teachers, lawyers, community leaders, as well as victims and on-lookers, we analyse what happened, why it happened, and what we should do towards making a better future for ourselves and our city.

Astonishing stories and equally astonishing conclusions told by the many voices that have been stirred up by the riots.

The Tricycle has a long and distinguished record for its verbatim theatre productions. Nicolas Kent and Gillian Slovo were part of the team responsible for Guantanamo – Honor Bound to Defend Freedom which transferred from the Tricycle to the West End and New York.

‘The Tricycle consistently punches above its small size and has become known as something of a powerhouse for political theatre and verbatim inquiry plays’ The Guardian