Archive · 18 Jul 2025
Gisèle Pelicot Rape Trial Transforms into a Play
A real-life court case about a woman named Gisèle Pelicot, who was drugged and raped by her husband and multiple men, is now a play.
The play, called "The Pelicot Trial", will show at the Avignon Festival in France.
The director, Milo Rau, is turning the trial into a play using the actual court records and stories.
The play will explore the woman's experience and the actions of the men involved.
The play has already been shown in Vienna and will also be shown in other cities, intending to shed light on patriarchy and rape culture.
A play based on the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial is set to debut at the Avignon Festival.
The play, titled "The Pelicot Trial: Tribute to Gisèle Pelicot," is directed by Milo Rau.
Gisèle Pelicot spoke about being drugged and raped by her husband and multiple men.
The play will use real trial transcripts, police files, and social commentary.
The play explores the perpetrators, who included men with various occupations.
- Who
- Gisèle Pelicot, the victim; Milo Rau, the director.
- What
- A play about the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial.
- When
- The play debuted in June and will be staged at the Avignon Festival.
- Where
- Avignon, France and other cities including Lisbon, Belgrade, and Warsaw.
- Why
- To explore rape culture and the experiences of Gisèle Pelicot and to show how ordinary men were involved.
Contextual Analysis
Objective View
Social Impact
Contextual Analysis
The play is a powerful piece exposing a deep-rooted societal problem.
Objective View
Not enough context is given to the case, especially when it is translated into a play.
- Play Title
- The Pelicot Trial: Tribute to Gisèle Pelicot
- Director
- Milo Rau
- Subject
- Gisèle Pelicot rape trial
- Location of Debut
- Vienna
- First performance
- Avignon Festival
- Duration
- Three hours
- Perpetrators
- 51 men convicted