Rosie O'Donnell and Julie Hesmondhalgh lead cast of The Pelicot Trial play
A star-studded cast including Rosie O'Donnell and Julie Hesmondhalgh will perform 'The Pelicot Trial,' a documentary play based on the real-life sexual assault case in France. The production aims to honor Gisele Pelicot and highlight the systemic issues revealed during the trial.
Why it matters
The play serves as a cultural response to a high-profile case of sexual violence, using theatre to process trauma and advocate for social change.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Adjoa Andoh, Rosie O'Donnell, Tamzin Outhwaite and Julie Hesmondhalgh will take part in the one-off performance
US comedian Rosie O'Donnell, Celebrity Traitors star Julie Hesmondhalgh, Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh and EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite will appear in a play based on the trial of the husband of Gisele Pelicot.
Thirty actors and public figures will take part in The Pelicot Trial, a one-off "documentary theatre" style performance at London's County Hall next month.
The play has been created from documents from the trial and psychiatric reports of dozens of men who were prosecuted in the case, which caused outrage in France and around the world, and turned Gisele Pelicot into a symbol of strength against sexual assault.
Dominique Pelicot was jailed for 20 years for drugging and raping his then wife, and allowing 50 other men to rape her while she was unconscious.
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