Let Him Have It?

Let Him Have It? is a semi-fictionalised crime story, expected to premiere at the end of 2024 in London. It is an original piece of writing that explores the life of Derek Bentley, a 19-year-old teenager controversially sentenced to death in 1950s Britain following his involvement in a theft gone wrong.

His death triggered a public outcry against the injustice of the execution, unprecedented at the time. The death penalty was abolished in the following decade, partly in response to this case, but Bentley's family had to wait a further three decades for him to receive a posthumous pardon upon a shift in political and social values.

His story was popularised in the 1991 film, Let Him Have It. Although this play (for the most part) shares the same name, this play enters into a world of speculative futures, extending into a thought-provoking alternative reality beyond the scope of the original story.

This play marks the inaugural production of the theatre company: Temple of Zeus.

Production Schedule

Cast and Crew call

We are actively recruiting the cast and crew. Auditions and interviews for roles will occur this October 2024.

Apply by 31st October 2024. Roles are advertised here.

First round - send in audition tapes and/or cover letters.

Second round - online meeting via video call.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will take place in London during Spring 2025. These will be at Theatre Deli. Rehearsal times are yet to be confirmed. Two to four rehearsals per week will take place on weekdays between 8am and 6pm.

Performance

Performance will take place in June 2025 at a London venue.

Status of production

The current production is in its first stages. We are in the process of recruiting both cast and crew. We will apply for funding once a satisfactory team has been assembled. As such, we cannot guarantee the realisation of the production until further funds have been secured. This will be confirmed by the end of October following confirmation of all the production team.