Theatre review: fighting housing injustice? Yes I Am!
August 29, 2025
Kristian Lalaj witnesses powerful play about community action and the journey of SPID Theatre
I had the privilege recently of watching Yes I Am! by Helena Thompson at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. From the moment it began, I knew I was witnessing something more than just a play. It felt like being part of a lived experience, one that carried both pain and pride, struggle and celebration.
The play tells Helena’s story and the journey of SPID Theatre over the past two decades, and it does so with honesty, humour and a deep sense of community spirit. What struck me most was the way the performance moved seamlessly between personal memories and broader social issues, particularly housing injustice. Instead of feeling heavy or preachy, it was alive with passion. You could sense that this was a story that demanded to be told, and told with urgency.
It’s not simply a play about the past, but a living call to action
The use of multimedia film, projections and interactive elements was especially powerful. It created a sense of intimacy, as if we were not just watching Helena’s journey but stepping into it. At points, the audience was invited to reflect, respond and almost become part of the narrative itself. That participatory element made the evening feel collaborative rather than passive, which fits perfectly with the play’s theme of community action.
Performance-wise, Helena delivered her story with vulnerability and strength. There was a raw honesty in her words, and yet a lightness too. Moments of laughter cut through the weight of the subject matter, reminding us that resilience is not just about survival but also about joy.
What makes Yes I Am! so moving is that it’s not simply a play about the past, but a living call to action. It celebrates what has been achieved while reminding us that the fight for dignity and fair housing is far from over.
Walking out of the theatre, I felt both inspired and challenged. Yes I Am! is theatre at its most urgent truthful, engaging and deeply human.
STAR RATING: 4.5 stars out of 5
Don’t miss out, book now for Yes I am! at Riverside studios
