What's On?

This 70 minute interactive experience has won 4 star reviews from publications including the Guardian. It was developed over the 7 years it took for SPID to successfully sue Grenfell's landlord, restore their neglected council estate building and win Client of the Year and London Awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects. During this time the name of the show changed and the performance evolved to include the voices of residents and young people affected by SPID’s unfolding story. It shares SPID’s inspiring history, includes a Q and A and delivers an accredited certificate showing that audiences have learned to use art for social change. 

The performance shares SPID’s tactics for securing social change and investment in estate communities.  Performed by Helena Thompson (founder and artistic director, SPID Theatre), the workshop is an uplifting, educational and redemptive dramatisation of their charity’s history. The show highlights how the charity raised £4 million to restore their council estate theatre, sued the landlord they share with the Grenfell Tower and worked with their neighbours on the estate to spearhead investment together. These achievements would not have been possible without the commitment and determination of Kensal House residents, who have been courageous in their commitment to ensuring the whole estate is brought up to standard. 

Praise:

 

‘The judges were profoundly moved by Helena Thompson’s humanity, resilience and infectious enthusiasm. Helena exemplifies the true agent of change: without access to power or wealth, she brought people together through clarity of vision, courage and an unshakeable belief in a fairer and more inclusive world. '  SPID Theatre Client Of The Year Award from  RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)

A love letter to estates, ★★★★ The Guardian

‘As a final evolution of a work many years in the making,  deserves as broad an audience as it can muster.’ ★★★★ Salterton Arts

 

Next stop must be the Commons, ★★★★ The Morning Star

‘A shining example of how creativity can empower lives and build stronger communities…true inspiration’ Special Award For Art that brings social change

‘A powerful example of what happens when art, heritage, activism and lived experience come together…. A provocative, interactive and inspiring piece of theatre that proves art really can help bring justice closer.’  ★★★★ ITgirl

The moral is clear – we can win this!, ★★★★ The Big Issue

‘This is theatre literally at the roots. A place of warm friendship and a shared desire to disrupt, divert, and disturb for the greater good...this remarkable interactive play.’  ★★★★ Loureviews

A passionate defence of social housing, ★★★★ The Stage

 

 

‘an experience that gives hope and devastates in equal measure’

★★★★ Shinylife

 

Demonstrates vibrantly how art can be change, ★★★★ Everything Theatre

History

SPID (Social Progressive Interconnected Diverse) Theatre has been awarded Client of The Year Award as well as a London Award for architects Studio Sam Causer by the prestigious RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). The tiny youth and community charity beat more than a hundred capital projects from corporations across the capital, despite having a smaller budget and less experience. SPID overcame the challenges of landlord negligence, Lockdown, Brexit and contractors going bust to deliver the ground breaking restoration of the Grade II* listed Kensal House Community Rooms.

After 7 gruelling years of halting works, the new lift, staircase and ramped corridor have at last made heritage accessible - restoring the social heart of Maxwell Fry and Elizabeth Denby’s pioneering 1937 Modernist estate by bringing a long-neglected community facility back into public life. The project reinstates lost 1930s windows, repairs original concrete fabric, and restores the theatre, hall, kitchen, toilets and office for contemporary community use. 

RIBA judges praised SPID’s Artistic Director and Founder Helena Thompson for her tireless commitment and vision. As a young housing artivist, Thompson found the neglected building in Historic England’s Buildings at Risk Register. She squatted the neglected building with the permission of Kensal House Residents Association and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) in 2005. After campaigning for decades, she ultimately united funders, residents, Historic England, community members and young people in making Kensal House Community Rooms a beacon of hope.

An anthology of award-winning playwright Helena Thompson’s scripts calling for social change has been published by Methuen to mark SPID’s 21st birthday and is available from Waterstones and all progressive bookshops. 

SPID Theatre

SPID Theatre makes art which advocates housing justice and is based in Kensal, House estate close to Grenfell. Since 2005, the award-winning charity’s plays, films, tours and exhibitions have dramatised the history and value of social housing. Their award-winning productions have featured in National press. These include A History, of Neglect, Kensington Stories, Reimagining Goldfinger, Trellick Tales, Streets in, The Sky and The Burning Tower - covered by ITV, BBC, and London Live. Prizes, include Clore Duffield, Time Out Critic’s Choice, Inspire Future Generations Award, Commendation, and Young People Now. 

In 2018 SPID produced The Burning Tower, a play by Artistic Director Helena Thompson which performed the history of social housing. That year SPID’s call for investment in refurbishing their base in nearby Kensal House estate was finally heard. But the much needed access and safety works were jeopardised by delays and negligence from the landlord SPID shares with Grenfell. As costs rose from £2.4m to £4m, it was not until 2025 that the restoration was finally complete.

During these 7 years, Thompson’s performances continued to keep landlord negligence in the public eye. She dramatized the charity’s quest for housing justice with performances featuring live or recorded Kensal and Grenfell communities. These shows gathered press and momentum as they turned the spotlight on systemic oppression. Each new iteration toured estates, museums, theatre and schools updating audiences on the unfolding SPID V RBKC saga.  

The story of Fires and Floods explored the aftermath of the Grenfell Fire. Class Act dramatized how SPID united with residents to hold their landlord to account. Floods, Fire and Sunshine exposed the leaks at Kensal House, the fire at Grenfell Tower and sunshine of hope welcomed by much needed refurbishment of both Kensal House and SPID. The show you see today featured in the Open House London Architectural Festival and is the last instalment as the charity finally returns home to  Kensal.