World Premiere
The Gretchen Question
Co-written by Melly Still and Max Barton
Directed by Melly Still
Designed by E.M. Parry
Lighting designed by Malcolm Rippeth
Music by Second Body
22 September – 2 October
Presented by Fuel in collaboration with Shipwright
Co-commissioned by Fuel, the Albany and We Are Lewisham
- Melly Still and Max Barton present the world premiere of their new show which looks at the climate emergency through the eyes of three different women
- Staged in the grounds of the hidden architectural gem the Master Shipwright’s House in Deptford
- Part of We Are Lewisham, the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022
- Tickets go on sale on 14 June at 4pm
- The cast features Yohanna Ephrem, Ryan Gerald, Katherine Manners, Lauren Moakes, Alex Mugnaioni, Al Nedjari and Christopher Saul with further casting to be announced soon
Fuel, in collaboration with Shipwright, is delighted to present the world premiere of a new play by Melly Still and Max Barton – The Gretchen Question. The play will be performed in the grounds of the remarkable hidden architectural gem the Master Shipwrights House in Deptford in South East London and forms part of London Borough of Culture. It plays from 22 September – 2 October with a press night on 23 September.
Gretchen bears witness to the discoveries of world exploration at the Royal Society in the late 18th century. Maisie is an influencer with a questionable new brand partnership. Lulit is in turmoil, struggling to remember what happened to her last night. Through these interwoven stories, The Gretchen Question dissects how we have arrived at the current climate emergency.
Taking inspiration from the past, this new production invites us to inquire what the future holds for us. Staged outdoors in the historic grounds of the Master Shipwright’s House on the banks of the Thames in Deptford, this site-specific production features original composition by Second Body and design by E. M. Parry.
The Master Shipwright’s House and Office is one of the few remaining parts of Deptford’s former royal dockyard. Founded by Henry VIII in 1513 the King’s Yard became one of the most important shipbuilding yards in the world before finally closing in 1869. It was bought and restored by its current owners in 1998. Since then it has been a home and creative space for artists, performers and audiences from around the world.