James Kenworth’s acclaimed Newham Plays series returns this August with the world premiere of Three Ghosts of Silvertown, the seventh production in the long-running cycle celebrating the history, communities and cultural heritage of Newham.
Directed by Jade Ward McFarlane, Three Ghosts of Silvertown will be staged site-specifically at the Tate Institute in Silvertown from 24 to 30 August, bringing audiences into the heart of a story inspired by the area’s industrial past.
The new play follows three class-war ghosts resurrected from the poverty-stricken streets of Silvertown at the turn of the twentieth century. Scarred by exploitation, neglect and abandonment, the spectral trio guide audiences through a nightmarish landscape of slums, factories and hardship while drawing powerful connections between historical and contemporary inequalities.
As the story unfolds, the ghosts refuse to remain trapped by history and instead attempt to restage the famous Silvertown Strike led by Eleanor Marx, daughter of Karl Marx. This reimagining offers a radically different outcome from the events recorded in history.
Set against a pulsating techno and house soundtrack, Three Ghosts of Silvertown blends spoken word, movement and immersive theatre with the Newham Plays’ established commitment to community participation and emerging local talent.
The production has been inspired by the restoration of the Tate Institute through the ReSpace Project. The revival of the building echoes the themes of the play itself, reclaiming neglected spaces and reconnecting communities with their heritage.
The connection between venue and subject matter is particularly significant. The historic Silvertown Strike took place just yards from the Institute, which once served as a hub for local workers and the surrounding industrial community.
The production also marks a full-circle moment for director Jade Ward McFarlane, who appeared as a teenager in the very first Newham Play, When Chaplin Met Gandhi, in 2012.
James Kenworth said today: “What a fantastic full-circle story it is! Jade performed in my When Chaplin Met Gandhi, back in 2012 as a young teenager. Since then, she’s gone on to carve out an impressive career as a theatre and film director. Jade is Newham born and bred and is passionate about locally made stories that celebrate and foreground the borough’s rich history and heritage. Alongside her professional directing work, she was also Head of Drama at Newham’s Cumberland Community School, so I know she’ll be a tremendous asset to the team, bringing a wealth of experience alongside her deep knowledge and love of Newham.”
Since launching with When Chaplin Met Gandhi in 2012, The Newham Plays have explored local stories ranging from Keir Hardie’s socialist campaigning and Elizabeth Fry’s prison reform work to the life of outsider artist Madge Gill. The series has earned praise for combining professional theatre-making with community engagement and inventive use of local spaces.
Three Ghosts of Silvertown features design by Hardy Gru and runs at the Tate Institute, Wythes Road, London E16 2DN, with tickets available from £5.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
