Regeneration? Redevelopment? Gentrification?

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Property is a political farce about the London housing crisis, exploring the legacy of successive governments’ lack of vision for housing, and the decimation of council provision. It’s a call to action. It’s set in the fictional borough of Hattenham and was inspired by the regeneration of estates in Hackney and Haringey.

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This fast-moving comedy hurls headlong into the housing debate. Hipsters clash with locals, councils find strange bedfellows, and the homeless take over the estate. As house prices rise and rents rocket, is the writing on the wall for what’s left of diverse, patchwork London and its mixed communities? London housing is a farce. And so is this play.

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Property was first presented at New River Studios on 16-19 October 2019 funded by the Arts Council. This venue was selected for its location adjacent to Woodberry Down, a council estate that is being redeveloped with a high proportion of new luxury flats. This allowed us access to the local community that have been directly impacted.

Through our post-show discussions with housing experts, the actors and writer we provided a safe public forum for the audience to discuss the dilemmas the play presents. Our partners included Shelter, Cardboard Citizens Theatre, Immediate Theatre and John Boughton. 

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