Value Engineering

  

I discussed the performance with Director Mike Fahie-Wilson at the end. The plot line consisted of selected scenes from the Grenfell Inquiry using only the words spoken at the Inquiry. A challenging and at times heart wrenching play. Due to the formality of the Inquiry the set was very basic and consisted of three formal office desks with chairs arranged in a semi circle and a laptop on each. The Inquiry Chairman was seated in the central desk flanked on his left by the Counsel to the Inquiry and the witnesses and barristers on his right. An interactive white board at the back of the set was used to denote timelines and key events. Costumes were inevitably formal and mainly from the society’s wardrobe. Lighting was just right and sound levels good. All the cast projected well and could be heard clearly by the audience.

Mike Fahie-Wilson had taken the role of the Inquiry Chairman, Sir Martin Moore-Bick at short notice due to the unexpected hospitalisation of the actor originally cast. His role was basically to ensure that the Inquiry proceeded with due process and that witnesses were introduced as necessary. Mike injected his calm manner into the proceedings and played this part well.

Star of this cast was definitely Neil Arbon playing the role of the fearsome Richard Millett QC, Counsel to the Inquiry. Neil interpreted this part admirably in a calm and competent manner whilst questioning the various witnesses and barristers on their written statements, seeking additional information and recollections as necessary. He showed moments of impatience when he felt that his questions were not fully answered. Annie Eddington as Kate Grange, the assisting Counsel played a crucial role in reminding the QC of salient points to follow through.

The two expert witnesses were both well cast, Sara Knight as Dr Barbara Lane, a Chartered Fire Safety Engineer and Andy Smith as Prof Luke Bisby from the University of Edinburgh. Both Sara and Andy were clear and convincing in answering the questions which the QC put to them.

There were a great number of small but significant parts all intrinsic to the narrative. All the actors played their roles well with lots of emotion apparent. I thought that Darryl Crawley, as David Badillo, a firefighter was compelling and most emotional giving his recollections of rescuing a young boy from an upper floor. Natasha Goldberg gave a convincing account of the chaos in the Fire Brigade Control Room and the seeming lack of coordination of essential services. Peter Drew was impressive as the Senior Building Control Officer for the Council complaining that he was unable to do his job properly because of lack of time and money.

In short, all the parties to the Inquiry seemed to be working in isolation with no concept of what others were doing and intent on “passing the buck”.

Mike Fahie-Wilson directed this play with great feeling and understanding and the audience were well engaged. Well done to everyone involved.

What a shame that there was such a small audience when I visited!. Hopefully the audience numbers picked up later in the run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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