The Pelicot Trial

The Pelicot Trial is a staggering piece of documentary theatre, playing for one night only in the UK in London County Hall, Home of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution.

The sold-out performance will be streamed live to Watershed and other venues across the UK in partnership with The Young Vic.

In September 2024 in the French town of Mazan, ordinary men of every age and class were found guilty of perhaps the most extreme crime: the repeated rape of an unconscious woman.

The play is created from testimonies, witness accounts, psychiatric reports and court documents of the 51 men who were prosecuted. It forms an urgent statement on the prevalence of sexual violence and its legal treatment.

“Shame has to change sides.” Through these words and her decision to make her trial public, Gisèle Pelicot has become a symbol of resilience and the fight against sexual violence. 

Milo Rau and Servane Dècle's profoundly affecting piece of documentary theatre will be performed by a company of 30 actors and public figures including Adjoa Andoh, Nicole Ansari-Cox, Lorraine Ashbourne, Leo Bill, Brian Cox, Countertenor Hugh Cutting, Lindsay Duncan, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Alfred Enoch, Photographer Misan Harriman, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Suzy Eddie Izzard, Lennie James, Rosie Jones, Baroness Helena Kennedy, Kadiff Kirwan, George MacKay, Tobias Menzies, Ambika Mod, Comedian Rosie O’Donnell, Tamzin Outhwaite, John Simm, Jordan Stephens, Juliet Stevenson, Indira Varma, Samuel West, Olivia Williams, Activist Ellie Wilson, Kate Winslet and solicitor and feminist Harriet Wistrich.

The play was developed in collaboration with journalists, anthropologists, and French feminist organisations. It received its world premiere at the Vienna Festival and has toured internationally to cities including Avignon, New York, Lisbon, Milan, and Bergen, performed by a different company in each city.

The Pelicot Trial is presented by the Young Vic, Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Rebecca Stafford Productions, in support of Rape Crisis and The Centre for Women’s Justice.

It is supported by the Olwyn Foundation for Women and Girls.

Some audience members may find the subject matter distressing. You are welcome to leave the screening at any point and return whenever you feel ready. A designated Quiet Space will also be available for anyone who would like to take a break.

Content Guidance

Contains strong language and themes of sexual violence, sexual abuse, non-consensual drugging, racism, ableism, sexism, child sexual abuse, incest, suicidal ideation, grief/bereavement, mental/physical illness, drug use.

The Pelicot Trial will also be free to watch on the Young Vic YouTube channel between 18:00 - 22:00 GMT on 30 Nov, alongside screenings taking place across the UK, where people can watch it with others.

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