// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
Rosie O'Donnell and Julie Hesmondhalgh to appear in play about Gisele Pelicot case
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.
The play pays tribute to "the ordinary woman who opened the way to change", the Young Vic said
Other cast members include Truly, Madly, Deeply star Juliet Stevenson, All Creatures Great and Small actor Samuel West, Sixth Sense's Oliva Wiliams and Slow Horses' Kadiff Kirwan.
Comedian Rosie Jones, Dune actress Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Bridgerton's Lorraine Ashbourne and Rizzle Kicks rapper Jordan Stephens will also take part.
Further casting for the four-hour play, which was developed in collaboration with journalists and feminist organisations in France, will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Pelicot Trial will be staged by the Young Vic theatre at London's County Hall on 30 November, and will also be streamed online.