Review: The Grip

The Grip, March 2025, image by AlastairBrookes - KoLABStudios

"Well done to all at Trinity Centre for hosting The Grip. It was truly wonderful to walk into that crowded, warm, diverse room. The 'show' itself was sobering, raw, beautiful. I will be pondering its messages for quite a while." Audience Member

In March, Trinity played host to The Grip; a poignant, multi-layered live production from Strike A Light.

Blending live radio show elements with film, interviews, and powerful testimonies, The Grip delved into the deeply personal stories of families divided by the Windrush generation experience.

Told through real interviews and evocative film by filmmaker Daniel Folley and producer Philippa Smith, this reimagined performance (first staged at Gloucester’s Guildhall in 2023) was given new life with the inclusion of Bristol voices.

In partnership with Strike A Light, Trinity sought out and supported local contributors to weave their own lived experiences into the narrative: stories of those who were left behind, of parents forced to make impossible choices, and of siblings growing up across oceans.

BBC presenter Kevin Philemon hosted the evening with warmth and gravity, joined by an impressive lineup including Bristol’s first Poet Laureate Miles Chambers, psychotherapist Audrey James, and soulful local singer Celestine.

The result was an emotional tapestry of storytelling, performance, and reflection, shared with a full house of over 100 people. What unfolded was a communal experience. A space of healing, remembrance, and connection. Stories unheard were spoken aloud, grief and resilience given equal weight. It reminded us how vital it is to listen, to speak, and to hold space for stories that shaped generations.