An Untitled Musical About Scaffolding
By
An Untitled Musical About Scaffolding
Music & Story by
Words Verbatim
V6 - 02/09/2025
For the residents
Thank you to:
Roshani Abbey
Geri Allen
Christian Andrews
Kelly Hampson
& all those who gave their time and words
V6 - 02/09/2025
ABOUT THE SHOW
An Untitled Musical About Scaffolding is a verbatim musical assembled entirely from the words of East London residents, journalists, and public figures. Set to original music and performed by five actors, it tells the story of a block of flats encased in scaffolding, and six years of waiting for someone to care.
These are the residents' own words, as they spoke them. It’s a story of bureaucracy, neglect, and quiet resilience. But it's also a story of gardens, pigeons, relationships, and the sense of community that emerged.
An Untitled Musical About Scaffolding brings to life a story of everyday people caught in a slow-moving fight, holding on, and sometimes breaking down.
It is musical theatre as testimony, protest, and memory.
Why “An Untitled Musical About Scaffolding”?
Incomplete. Provisional. Mundane. Like the scaffolding itself, the title stands in the way, temporarily, permanently. This is a show about lives paused, places devalued, and systems that fail the people they claim to serve. The title is because, in many places, it’s still happening.
A Note on Verbatim Theatre
All dialogue in this piece is taken from real interviews and broadcasts. The names and places have been changed, but the words remain the same. I want to thank those who shared their stories.
Resident’s words: EMMA MARGOT NABEELA PETER WILL
Others’ words: RADIO PRESENTER RUBY COUNCILLOR
Names in brackets denote the original speaker of the words.
Italics denote explicitly sung words. - denotes a short pause / denotes a longer pause
Words in bold denote laughter
All words should be spoken in the original rhythm and intonation.
The names have changed. All words are verbatim.
Five actors take turns to tell the story.
Main Residents
EMMA
MARGOT
NABEELA
PETER WILL
Other Speaking Characters
STEPHEN – Peter’s partner
DAVID – Emma’s partner
BILAL – A young resident
SON – Nabeela’s son
RUBY – Newspaper journalist, Ruby Gregory
RADIO PRESENTER - BBC Radio Breakfast presenter
COUNCILLOR – A representative of the local council
LAWYER – Legal advocate during mediation
SECRETARY – Assistant to a council official
REPORTER – TV journalist
PM – Major works project manager
Other Voices
NEIGHBOUR 1, 2, 3, 4
FRIEND 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
PERSON
CHILDREN
SCAFFOLDERS
RESIDENT
SWEDISH GIRLFRIEND
OLD RESIDENTS
COUNCIL – Multiple council spokespeople
Suggested doubling
MARGOT – REPORTER
NABEELA – RUBY & COUNCILLOR
PETER – LAWYER
WILL – DAVID, STEPHEN, SON, BILAL, PM & RADIO PRESENTER
Other roles to be shared around the company.
AFTER
1. Opening - Talking
EMMA. I had to - prepare a sort of statement, fBecause I was like, I was thinking
MARGOT. So, protest seems to be the kind of the thing of the moment Which is great, I think
EMMA. I'm a stickler for punctuation and grammar
NABEELA. I’m an arty person, myself
PETER. I do have a reputation f- for, um People say, “Oh, you can talk to anybody”
MARGOT. I'll try to be as frank as possible, I just Cause of our seh- security staff, and We’re just being monitored
EMMA. And then when I speak, I- I use the wrong verb or whatever So bad
PETER. Um, and I do really, - um, / because I think it’s a very important And communication is very important really
WILL. I won't answer if I don't want to
MARGOT. It’s sort of like a therapy sesson- session
BEFORE
2. So Bright and So Light
PETER. So, when we were first here
We were the young whippersnappers
EMMA. I officially moved in - the end of twenty-eighteen
PETER. We were always out at night
And out all night, and, you know, doing Up to things you shouldn't be doing
EMMA. I grew up in South Africa, which obviously has a very, um, Unique - security
Y- you learn this, sort of, protective - mechanism
PETER. When we first moved here
There were two people who, who had, uh um Fake led windows and net curtains and it was all very And one day he knocked on the door, and said
NEIGHBOUR 1 (PETER). Right you boys, we're fucking off to Barking We've had enough of this lot around here
All these
All these pakkies
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). Well, best you go, darling, actually Best you go
EMMA. And then when you move to London It takes a few / months
But you shed that a bit
MARGOT. Really sadly, my ex-husband and I split up And so I was looking for somewhere else, er, to live So I, I was kind of wandering around for ages Trying to find a flat that would fit both my children in it And - be somewhere fun and - within my budget
And then I thought, Burdett Square would be - great Because I, you know I lived in the council flat before It just, everything was great
PETER. Then we had A lesbian who worked for the prison service
With her- her Swedish girlfriend who, um Ended up having appendicitis
And being admitted to the, um, to the Royal London And was so
SWEDISH GIRLFRIEND (PETER). Horrified by the The squalour and the terror
PETER. She left - there And never came back And they split up and off they went
NABEELA. So, we moved from a studio flat within Shoreditch, ahThere was, you know, I had the two children, it was overcrowded Was super, super glad to have been - offered this property
Particularly because - the - previous flat
Was slightly dingy, it was dark
And then when I first viewed this property
The light was shining through, (to the others) It’s lih-, I think it's south facing, isn't it? It just felt like home
PETER. Then we've had another lot And she was very into natural childbirth
Until she was about to give birth
NEIGHBOUR 2 (PETER). Give me the pethidine, Give me the pethidine
PETER. And off they went
MARGOT. One of the reasons why I chose the flat Is ‘cause it's got the amazing view of the city
PETER. It was so bright and so light
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER.) It was so bright and so light
PETER. And the, the sun shone in, and it was, it was lovely
RESIDENTS (PETER). So bright and so light
NABEELA. It was actually really good Because obviously we had access to the balcony
MARGOT. They're built with kind of lots of light coming in
RESIDENTS (PETER). It was so bright and so light It was so bright and so light
PETER. We, um, gradually developed the garden And, of course, living here, the flower market We went and bought - things, little pots and things
NABEELA. Decorated it nicely, put some plah- potted plants
PETER. I’m, sort of, in the business of interiors, things We like colour
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). Can you tell we like colour?
EMMA. We have a view of the city And the sun sets over the city And - sunlight bounces off the skyscrapers
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). We made that, sort of, sitting area out there
PETER. And that enormous fern that you see there Was actually bought in a pot like that That sat on the table out there for years And got too big for the pot, so then Well, you can see
RESIDENTS (PETER). You can see
RESIDENTS (PETER). It was so bright and so light
So bright and so light
And the sun shone in, and it was, it was lovely
And so bright and so light
PETER. It had a nice feeling about it, really There was nothing, there was nothing Nasty or threatening about it
Everybody got on with their Got on with each other, really We never felt threatened here
Never felt that it was unsafe Or anything like that
MARGOT. I mean, I think all of us who have moved in Are quite, sort of, house prou-oud
RESIDENTS (PETER). So bright and so light
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). The estate was a fairly typical council estate
We were the young whippersnappers
PETER. Did what we were expected to do
OLD RESIDENTS (PETER). Make sure you keep that garden tidy
PETER. And now we're the old folk
2019
PETER. So, Tower Hamlets completely fucked the whole thing up as always
3.
Oh, This Is Awful
MARGOT. All of the reasons why I’m here Were just kind of totally - smashed into smithereens
EMMA. The scaffolding went up - in - twenty-nine-, April twentynineteen
MARGOT. The building was covered in scaffolding Like, literally / from the, sort of, second month after I got it
NABEELA. I thought, great
There's, er, there was some obvious structural - damage There was going - to be works done
EMMA. So the main reason for the scaffolding - was that Concrete was spalling out the concrete bands Because it's about sixty years old And concrete - does tend to rot after that time
PETER. And I was really very unwell And so metal valves, er Pacemakers, all that stuff
So - I came back here
After about nine weeks in Barts Hospital
And they had then - put - the big scaffolding up
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh, / this is awful
Okay, / it's just six months of works
Oh, / this is awful
RESIDENTS (PETER). Well, okay, / this work's got to be done
PETER. So this was, we were in Um, nineteen, was it eighteen, nineteen?
I was then stuck here
Um - Looking out onto - this dreadful - scaffolding
And the darkness, and the And it was just all together very depressing really But we thought, well
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh, / this is awful
Okay, / okay, / it’s just six months of works
Oh, / this is awful
RESIDENTS (PETER). Well, okay / well, okay / this work's got to be done
Got to be done
NABEELA. It kind of brought the mood down So - as you can appreciate, we're a family, - so you know And within, within any family, - there's sometimes, you know
Emotional dysregulation, conflict
And the balcony was a useful
You know, - place to, sort of, just remove yourself
From certain conflicting situations,
But that - was - no longer an option for me, - you know?
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh, / this is awful
DAVID (EMMA). I think we need some better bedroom blinds
RESIDENTS (EMMA). It's just six months of works
Oh, / oh, / this is awful
DAVID (EMMA). Because the scaffolding's going up
RESIDENTS (PETER). Well, okay, / This work's got to be done
This work's got to be done
EMMA. And then I can remember going to a meeting
With some project manager / and them saying
PM (EMMA). Oh
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh
PM (EMMA). Would anyone who lives in twenty-one to thirty-four stay behind, please
EMMA. And we stayed behind, and everyone else left
PM (EMMA). We've got some updates
EMMA. In splitting the group, he kind of made us feel a bit powerless
PM (EMMA). Your building's been left off
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh
PM (EMMA). For an admin error
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
PM (EMMA). It won't be happening this year
EMMA. And that was the beginning of the soon, soon, soon pattern
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh, / this is awful
EMMA. At that point, I really wish I'd / fought harder
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh, oh, oh, oh, / this is awful
COUNCIL (MARGOT). The scaffolding is temporary It's gonna come down any minute now
PETER. The way it was presented to us was that
COUNCIL (PETER). The scaffolding had to be here to hold the building up
PETER. Which is a complete load of rubbish, of course
MARGOT. We just kept being told
COUNCIL (MARGOT). Three months’ time
MARGOT. Things were all happening in
COUNCIL (MARGOT). Three months’ time
MARGOT. So first of all, it was
COUNCIL (MARGOT). Three months’ time
MARGOT. Then it became COUNCIL (MARGOT). Next week
MARGOT. Then it became
COUNCIL (MARGOT). In a month’s time
MARGOT. So we're always given a date, - like Just out of reach
PETER. It just went on and on and on
EMMA. I got the sense that Something was wrong I thought Something is up
MARGOT. You just panic, - panic I mean, it's a territorial thing, - isn't it? Like, when you feel like your home Is, sort of, under threat
Or, like, changed in some way
By something that you can't control
Panic
Panic
Panic
EMMA. You know I've sort of a tenderness
For my naive self I was also much younger, I Was in my twenties - I'd never Really fought a big organisation Or a corporate or anything
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh, / this is awful
EMMA. You still had the belief that - twenty-twenty was - was gonna be the year they were gonna get it done
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Oh, / this is awful
EMMA. And then COVID happened
4. COVID and This
PETER. COVID and this I mean, it's unthinkable Unbearable, isn't it, really?
EMMA. The weather this week is - very Early - early covid-esque And it is bringing back a lot of memories It was, it was horrific I was on my own In the flat
And I just felt so trapped - in this In this cage It was horrific
My mental health took a serious dive
PETER. But - because I have a business away I was told that I could actually, every few weeks I could get the train there So there was
The driver, - the guard, - me, - and about Ten county lines drug dealers On those trains, - ha, ha, ha
EMMA. I was struggling to breathe Gulping for air And people kept saying
FRIEND 1 (EMMA). Oh, you've maybe got long covid
EMMA. But I hadn't been sick
FRIEND 2 (EMMA). Sounds like a kind of deep-set anxiety, like
EMMA. I was like struggling to get air from time to time I felt trapped
And you can't escape it
You can't walk another way
Ih- It is your life
You have no control
And they’re now saying
COUNCIL (EMMA). ‘Cause of the pandemic
EMMA. The pandemic?
COUNCIL (EMMA). It will stretch out, and out, and out
EMMA. Yeah
5. This is Not Cool
PETER. I’m on - more warfarin than would kill
A hundred rats, probably Ha ha ha, um
That it was - thought that - the reason that I didn't - die Was because - I didn't get all the blood clots
MARGOT. I started Getting worried and talking to Emma about it And then, - we were both, - like
MARGOT & EMMA (MARGOT). This is not cool
EMMA (MARGOT). I’ve seen scaffolding going up On next door's building And then being taken down again
MARGOT & EMMA (MARGOT). This is not cool
MARGOT. Because obviously, they used lockdown as an excuse
RESIDENTS (MARGOT). This is not cool
MARGOT. They’ve done stuff on other buildings You know, why was ours so different?
NABEELA. Every six months or four months They would write back and saying
COUNCIL (NABEELA). We’re negotiating
We’re talking to contractors
You know
NABEELA. And you know the story
NABEELA & COUNCIL (NABEELA). Blah, blah, blah
RESIDENTS (MARGOT). This is not cool
This is not cool
MARGOT. There was this guy
This fucking awful guy
All of his letters that we got
Were just a complete pack of lies
I started
Writing to councillors
Writing to the council
Writing
And they just kept Fobbing us off
RESIDENTS (MARGOT). This is not cool
MARGOT. They have a, sort of, standard - format
For, for doing cases
COUNCIL (MARGOT). No, computer says no
Something about damp or whatever
- 02/09/2025
MARGOT. No, no, no
This is a This is a repairs issue
COUNCIL (MARGOT). No, no, no No, computer says no
MARGOT. But there was one message From our local Mayor Which forwarded some correspondence Between thi- this fucking awful guy Which I just realised was a total bunch of lies
RESIDENTS (MARGOT). This is not cool
MARGOT. The whole Chain of emails
Was just him fobbing off the local Mayor And just, kind of, thinking Everyone involved is just Lying, or incompetent, or both
RESIDENTS (MARGOT). This is not cool
MARGOT. And I hate this country And I want to leave
RESIDENTS (MARGOT). This is not cool
6. Poles, Boards, Mesh, Netting
PETER. And - after a while, what happens is - that you begin
To actually not enjoy living where you’ve been living
EMMA. The scaffolding had a big blue netting all around it
So, on top of the, sort of, boards covering your windows
You also had blue netting
Sort of, - casting a blue shadow into your flat
And they put - a kind of chicken mesh
Wire thing on all the balconies
So on, when you were on your balcony
You felt literally like you were behind bars
You could put your fingers in them
And grab on, and sort of shake it, - um
EMMA & KEVIN (EMMA). We cut ours off - because I didn’t want to live like that
NABEELA. The vines, and the palm tree, the scaffolding
The scaffolding actually also reduced the sunlight
So we were in perpetual darkness
Even if the sun was shining
EMMA. The blue mesh was quite horrific
Because it would cast a / sort of
Checkered shadow - along the walls, em
Kind of the way you get mottled tree in sunlight except it’s
EMMA & KEVIN (EMMA). Blue mesh
EMMA. Industrial pattern on your walls
Rain would fall on the boards
And then splatter up against the windows
There was this dusty, droplety haze
NABEELA. Dark, dirty windows
And let us not forget the birds
So we had bird
Excuse my French
Pooing
EMMA. You'd get pigeon crap
On the windows
PETER. And the squirrels loved it
And all sorts of other animals
Because why wouldn’t they?
NABEELA. Squirrels fighting
And waking me up
PETER. And it just got threatening
PETER & KEVIN (PETER). The whole thing got threatening
RESIDENTS (PETER). And it just got threatening
The whole thing got threatening
NABEELA. I wanted to get a gun and shoot them
MARGOT. It was very, sort of, oppressive, having my view blocked
And my flat had become much darker
You know, I couldn't use my balcony
And, to my shame, I still occasionally
Smoke a rollie
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). Gradually they
PETER. Tower Hamlets then gave up on inspecting it anyway, - um
And - didn't really care, - um
So, ih- it just got worse, and worse, and worse
7. The Haunted Block
NABEELA. So, everything was fine up until the scaffolding went up
Suddenly, I'm hearing scuffling sounds
I couldn't see them / but I could hear them
My son woke up - to a mice
Sitting on the footstool
Looking at him
Looking at him
They would wake me up - in the morning
They were having babies
They were having babies
I ended up getting a cat
PETER. What's happened is just awful
We weren't allowed to
To get access into the garden - because
We were told
And in no uncertain terms, and in writing
And a personalised letter
COUNCIL (PETER). Absolutely mustn't go out - in there, - in the garden
PETER. We couldn't have the - normal tree / surgeons Come and do the trees
And so the whole thing just went from bad to worse
EMMA. It wasn't this I- I’ve been using the word crack den a lot
And I don’t think that’s quite the right description But it does feel like this, kind of, enclosed thing
RESIDENTS (EMMA). I've been using the word crack den a lot
EMMA. Some kids who play - in this, sort of, - area in front of the flat
And they were like
CHILDREN (EMMA). (Gasp) You’re going into the haunted
The haunted block
You’re going into the haunted
The haunted block
EMMA. Cos it had just like this - dank, dark, - you know Haunted feel that - seven-year-old girls would be
CHILDREN (EMMA). Too scared to walk into
EMMA. We had people on the scaffolding at night, often Climbing onto the roof
Then you'd have people's legs - dangling over your bedroom windows
As they sat on the roof
CHILDREN (EMMA). The haunted
The haunted block
You’re going into the haunted RESIDENTS (EMMA). I've been using the word crack den a lot
NABEELA. Probably I can’t - count the number of times I've almost jumped out of my skin
Because I can hear thumps - on the boards
So I know someone's climbing around
And I've seen - feet - go past
And they're young, you know, young legs
Rushing - back and forth
Erm, but yeah, so I've had to open the window and say
NABEELA & RESIDENTS (NABEELA). I'm going to report you
NABEELA. Couple of times
Never seen their faces, but yeah
CHILDREN (EMMA). The haunted
The haunted block
You’re going into the haunted
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Been using the word crack den a lot
MARGOT. It just doesn't feel safe
So, in summer months - you couldn't open your windows
Because - it’d just be - incredibly easy for people to break in
EMMA. You know, David got punched, - um
So, basically
Some guys were on the scaffolding
And he said
DAVID (EMMA). Hey guys, get off the scaffolding
EMMA. And he went outside, and I think they were doing balloons
DAVID (EMMA). Please can you leave, - you shouldn't be doing balloons here
EMMA. And, rightly or wrongly, - he filmed them doing balloons
And that really incensed them, and - they punched him
PETER. Our neighbors next door, - who - were going to relocate
NEIGHBOUR 3 (PETER). Okay, well, we can't bear it
We're gonna have to move out, we'll get people in to rent it
NEIGHBOUR 4 (PETER). But who the hell's gonna rent it
Living in, - what effectively was becoming a crack den?
RESIDENTS (EMMA). I've been using the word Been using the word I've been using the word crack den a lot
PETER. Because - anti-social behavior thrives on - dark - corners
And / places where you think people don't really care, um So anything goes, and it doesn't matter And that’s, - I think
The anti-social - behavior and the - drug taking stuff
Was the thing that - got me down - the most, - really
Well, what the hell are we coming home to Every day?
RESIDENTS (PETER). Well, what the hell are we coming home to Every day?
Well, what the hell are we coming home to Every day? Every day?
EMMA. You know
You arrived home and it was there
You woke up and it was there
You're looking out the window and it's there It's this constant symbolic reminder of
Like, your disappointment in - a- a public service
RESIDENTS (PETER). Well, what the hell are we coming home to Every day?
MARGOT. If I was ever there on my own I would just be really scared
CHILDREN (EMMA). (Gasp) You’re going into the haunted The haunted block
PETER. We’re dealing with major rat infestation, here And they dance up the tree
The reason for that, of course
It was left so squalid in that end bit (to the others) Wasn’t it?
RESIDENTS (PETER). Well, what the hell are we coming home to Every day?
Well, what the hell are we coming home to Every day?
Well, what the hell are we coming home to Every day? Every day?
2022
EMMA. If- if you live in a council, erm, freehold property and you are a leaseholder
If the council wants to do works your property which is more than two thousand pounds
They're legally required to issue you with a section twenty
You - then have thirty days to review this cost, and query it, and suh- p- pass on any feedback
At which point, they will take on the feedback, see if there's anything that can be done before they can start the works
So, it's like a legally binding document
8. Expert In The Council
EMMA. So, in twenty-twenty-two we received, um, word - of Section twenties coming out - the next week
And they were - astronomical, - they were, sort of
COUNCIL (EMMA). Ninety-thousand pounds a flat
EMMA. And - full of errors - and a mess
Had a phone call to say What's going on, guys, these are ridiculous
COUNCIL (EMMA). Oh, yeah, thank you for pointing this out
EMMA. Almost eighteen months later
And we were issued with the same section twenties
COUNCIL (EMMA). The exact same
EMMA. They were charging us things for like
COUNCIL (EMMA). Lifts
EMMA. We don't have lifts They wanted
COUNCIL (EMMA). Thirty thousand pounds for a no-smoking sign
RESIDENT (EMMA). How on earth am I going to pay this?
EMMA. It's a heart attack-inducing figure
For someone who doesn't have the full context
Of their incompetence and ineptitude, and
RESIDENTS (EMMA). How on earth
How on earth
How on earth am I going to pay this?
EMMA. I've become an expert - in council hierarchy
RESIDENTS (EMMA). I've become an expert - in council hierarchy
EMMA. I would go through a pattern of getting - more and more irate, Lashing out something about this being unacceptable
And then, kind of, becoming defeatist
Not doing anything for two months
And then suddenly getting really cross saying
What's the update?
And then them sending
COUNCIL (EMMA). Something very dismissive
EMMA. And me going
This is unacceptable
RESIDENTS (EMMA). This is unacceptable
This is unacceptable
PETER. You realise how ridiculous and how powerless you are
Because nothing can be done
And of course, the people that were in charge of these projects
Got more and more - kicked by everybody
And then just kept getting - either sacked or leaving
And everything, everything that you were told
One day was completely contradicted another day
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). What the hell are we gonna do about it? Um
RESIDENTS (PETER). What the hell are we going to do about it? Um
What the hell are we going to do about it? Um
What the hell are we going to do about it? Um
What the hell are we going to do about it?
PETER. And then you get another piece of paper
And another - set of, / um, completely contradictory plans
Nothing ever went anywhere
EMMA. Every time you thought you were making headway
That person would leave
And then you'd go back to square one
I was shouting into the void for about five years
And I just felt the - sheer injustice of it
MARGOT. There was so many lies about it
Um, and the, kind of, fobbing off for as long as possible
And the fact that there was no way
They were gonna change it
It was just the blatant lies - that made me feel like
There was, sort of, something fishy going on
PETER. Well, there's lots of conspiracy theories that it was all about, um
The, the backhanders of- I mean, we know how much - money
EMMA. The scaffolding had cost the council
COUNCIL (EMMA). Over a million pounds
EMMA. Over a million pounds
RESIDENTS (EMMA). Over a million pounds
WILL. Yeah, there's a lot of things that one-point-two million could doaround the community
Would be far, far better than
Th- than having scaffolding on a block for six years
PETER. But I don’t think it was that I don't really I don't like conspiracy theories, particularly And I think that it's perfectly Explainable, - in sheer incompetence terms
And lack of - anybody taking control of that project
Yes, I'm sure the scaffolding people were rubbing their hands, saying SCAFFOLDERS (PETER). Thank you very much indeed
Thank you very much indeed
Thank you very much indeed Thank you very much indeed
PETER. But I don't really think there was any Corruption, particularly, just total incompetence
NABEELA. I don't think that they had the right management
The budget, - the contractors
Everything ridiculously mismanaged
PETER. And then, the, this inability to ever admit that anything waswrong
And try and save face is what Which is what they kept doing
EMMA. There’s fourteen flats in this block
There’s three hundred thousand people in Tower Hamlets
- 02/09/2025
So, are you telling me
That you’re spending a million pounds on fourteen flats?
MARGOT. There's the scaffolding, this fucking awful guy, the council
Powerless
What can I do?
All- always going to be like this Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera
PETER. It's just like rubbing away
Like a, like a, like a sore, - um
Which then actually just reduced your mood
Gradually, and
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). Gradually, and gradually I can't remember when we were really happy here
9. The Forgotten People
NABEELA. We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
NABEELA. There were times when I would stand across the road On the opposite side of the pavement Look across at the front of my, our building anFeel really depressed
So, home was no longer home It was, you know, - somewhere to lay your head down
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
NABEELA. It’s like, where's the humanity?
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). It’s like, where’s the humanity?
PETER. And we actually then began to Spend more time in Suffolk and actually enjoy it more Because / this place was so Depressing, I mean, that's all you can say
EMMA. People - didn’t quite believe me
When, I said ‘Oh, the scaffolding's still up’
They’d sort of look at me like
As if I hadn't been trying or I don’t know
There was somehow disbelief in my friends when When I said “Guys - you have no idea
Do you want me to show you my emails?
Yeah, I’m trying”
Yeah, yeah
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
PETER. As the years went on and, you know (to the others) We’re talking many years, aren’t we? - Um
We were not allowed to do any - garden maintenance
We weren’t supposed to go outside
The poor people upstairs - were
Not only were they living in - restricted light from the scaffolding
But they were also having to deal with, what was originally A most gorgeous tropical fern
That was covering their windows
Covering their windows
MARGOT. There was a sense of shame that I was living in this building
My friends used to go
FRIEND 3 (MARGOT). Bloody Hell, Margot
You're scaffolding's not still up?
So like, what the fuck?
What the fuck?
FRIEND 4 (MARGOT). Scaffolding’s not still up?
FRIEND 3 & 4 (MARGOT). So like, what the fuck?
MARGOT. Every time I looked at the scaffolding It, sort of, set off this chain of - feeling - sort of Totally - powerless
So like, what the fuck?
I just can't live there anymore
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
NABEELA. The constant - justification
That they couldn't find the contractors
An- the need to negotiate
The right costs and the right prices
Er- Okay, the first year, maybe
But the second and the third
And the fourth and the fifth year
There's no justification for that
And there was no justification offered
MARGOT. I just can’t
I just can't live there anymore
NABEELA. The message that I kept receiving Again and again every year, was that
COUNCIL (NABEELA). You don't matter
You don't matter
You don't matter
NABEELA. You know, your sense of You know, feeling / safe
Feeling good about being at home was You know, completely disregarded
COUNCIL (NABEELA). You don't matter
NABEELA. It was just so negligent of them It’s like, where’s the humanity?
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). It’s like It’s like, where’s the humanity?
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
PETER. We used to take pride In people coming ‘round here We'd sit out there in the garden And the neighbors used to come round, and it was lovely
RESIDENTS (PETER). Everybody loved the garden
PETER. Where all the plants are dead
You know, we used to have creepers
Up all of these / things here
RESIDENTS (PETER). The most beautiful clematis
PETER. And things like that, um
And it just ended up - looking like A scrap yard or something
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
We were the forgotten people
PETER. What is the fucking point?
They're not going to do anything
You can't trust them
They have no moral fiber
They don't care
NABEELA. We're not commodities, we're humans
Y’know, we have families, we have children
PETER. We got used to the fact that Nothing was ever going to be done
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). And what the hell could we do?
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). We were the forgotten people
PETER. What is the fucking point?
NABEELA. We were the forgotten people Of Baroness Road
EMMA. My neighbour, Nabeela, who lives across the way
She's got three kids - and one of them He was, I think, - five when it went up
As you become conscious really of your existence
That's all he's known
He's now eleven
And that's all he's known
10. An Optimist
WILL. My, um, great great grandparents, - um
Moved to - the UK from, um, Eastern Europe
In, sort of, nineteen-oh-five
And - basically lived just down the road
It's somewhere that’s always been a place that You know kind of, people move to I suppose And becomes a safe home
It feels like a block that I think everyone Gives a shit
We moved in in April twenty-eighteen
So we're here for about - two or three months
Before the scaffolding went up
Um, so not long
Fundamentally, I'm a bit of an optimist, huh-huh-hum
I'm a bit of an optimist
Straight forward bit of concrete work
Shouldn't take long to do It didn't feel massive to me
Yeah, I don't think i've ever felt - unsafe Or any of those things because of it
I know other people have, - um
It’s- It’s definitely caused probably less immediate suffering to me Than to some people, but But also But also But also
My relationship with my ex-wife was, sort of Starting to fall apart at that point
I think Covid kind of precipitated, - uh, a bunch of things, um, that That, sort of, / eventually, - you know, in about 2022 Led to us eventually - separating, um
Everything has an impact on people's relationships right yeah Every kind of / hardship and, and It's something that you either, sort of work through together Or becomes Or becomes a challenge for you
Yeah the scaffolding made it - very, very hard to Actually move on from - quite a difficult - phase of life
How do you value - a flat that, that, that you just can't sell?
That you just can't sell?
Very, very hard to - actually move on from Quite a difficult phase of life
Very difficult to - move on from a, from a hard point of life
So, I moved out in April 2022, um, and I couldn’t afford not to live here and But really didn't want to be here, um
Quite happy to give people the benefit of the doubt
But there's a point where you, sort of, yuh-yuh, you reach this
Kind of
Having sort of absolutely no engagement from - the council
No engagement
You know, what, what the fuck are you actually play-ay-ying at?
Um
No one has any idea what to do, at least About a thing that is having quite a major impact on your life, um
When I did end up moving back in here, um
After she'd left It becomes more of a thing where
There’s a, sort of physical manifestation of that, which is, - um
Which was the hardest part of / the, The last couple of years, Have been the hardest part of that
I think it’s had a pretty major impact on My ability to, sort of, get on with life
An-huh-huh- and do things that are
Important to me, an- um
You know
I suppose look after myself in - in many ways, - um
You know, what, what the fuck are you actually play-ay-ying at?
No one has any idea what to do, at least About a thing that is having quite a major impact on your life, - um
No one actually gave a shit, - um, / um, No one actually gave a shit, / um
11. Top Story
RADIO PRESENTER. But let’s return to our top story this morning
EMMA. I was actually leaving for work And I was running late A reporter knocked on my door / and - she said
RUBY (EMMA). I’d love to chat to you about scaffolding
RUBY. I’ve covered housing for a few years now And - I've mainly - it’s mainly to do with Mould, damp, - er, rodents
Other issues like - overcrowding
EMMA. She, sort of, asked me if I would
RUBY (EMMA). Be okay with having a photo in front of the scaffolding?
EMMA. And I - didn't really want to Then it got picked up by the BBC
RADIO PRESENTER. Some leaseholders in a block of flats in East London
Have been hit with a bill of up to nintey-nine thousand pounds - per flat
RUBY. And this, - this just, - I don't know you sometimes It's hard to describe as a journalist when you
When - there’s a really good story
It feels sometimes like - a piece of gold
Because you just, it just goes off in your head
You’re like
That is a great story
RESIDENTS (RUBY). That is a great story
That is a great story
That is a great
RADIO PRESENTER. Now the cost is to carry out
Exterior building - refurbishments to those flats
On Burdett Square in Bethnal Green
For the residents, - this is the additional catch
The scaffolding was put up
To fix these issues with the building's concrete in twenty-nineteen
And has been lingering, languishing outside their windows
For five years
And it's still not come down
Due to - what’s been described as an admin error
At Tower Hamlets Council
RUBY. Surely it's easy to take down
Like, - what is the, - what’s stopping, you know?
EMMA. I had people coming out the woodwork, being like
FRIENDS (EMMA). Saw you in the newspaper
RADIO PRESENTER. Now, earlier, I spoke to Ruby Gregory
Our local democracy reporter
Who's been speaking to residents in the building About that scaffolding
RUBY. They can't see outside their windows They haven't been able to - in five years
EMMA. And then the BBC wanted to interview me
RUBY. Didn't really expect to see that much scaffolding like That was something that shocked me It was, it was like, almost like a paradise for all these animals
EMMA. And then the BBC Wanted to do
A television interview
REPORTER (RUBY). How many complaints Have been made over the five years? Why has it taken this long? Why?
EMMA. And I was on the Six O'Clock News
RESIDENT (RUBY). The uncertainty
RUBY. That people were feeling They just want
RESIDENT (RUBY). The works to be done
RESIDENT (RUBY). The scaffolding to be removed
EMMA. I can remember being terrified
RADIO PRESENTER. Um, we’ll bring you any developments on this as soon as we can, Err, but obviously, that is an ongoing story
RUBY. When it came out, it generated like So much interest
Spoke about it on the radio I've only done that a few times But I knew that this story Resonated with a lot of people
FRIEND 5 (EMMA). You really went out your comfort zone there
FRIENDS (EMMA). You really went out your comfort zone there
RUBY. It's just insane, like The resilience you guys have had
EMMA. And - it’s - it's had a really positive impact Because again I think this was feeding into The council - finally hearing me
And taking me seriously, and - yeah, I did feel proud
Proud
Proud about that
RUBY. Honestly, it's quite inspiring ‘cause I don't know what I'd do It was half a decade
12. Up Shit Creek
PETER. Stephen rang me very excitedly
STEPHEN (PETER). Oh, my goodness You know, we've got exposure
PETER. And this that and the other and You know, how fantastic that was And it absolutely was, - um So that was the key to it It wasn't the only thing, but it was a key to it
Really powerful Really powerful
EMMA. I went to a - meeting - like a community meeting And someone had invited the local councillor She said
COUNCILLOR (EMMA). Send this email To this person
EMMA. And I did, and their secretary replied
SECRETARY (EMMA). Sorry, I can't help
EMMA. And then she phoned me
COUNCILLOR (EMMA). Say this, this, this And I'm going to speak to her again
EMMA. And suddenly I was having meetings with The deputy mayor of Tower Hamlets
And th- I was on the news
And I had a lawyer
LAWYER (MARGOT). I've had cases where scaffolding has been left up quite negligently, you know, over, sort of, a couple of years
But I've never, ever seen something like this Like for six years
EMMA. We had a mediation And all of a sudden
Finally, it felt like there was
There was change
LAWYER (EMMA). You need to do something You're being investigated for fraud and embezzlement Do something
EMMA. I was really spurred on to Attack it
And I really went at it, I I put it all into a spreadsheet
And I highlighted all the inaccuracies
And I ran maths on the - concrete calculations
And realised they've been doing double counting
And I - really went at it
PETER. Uh- they’re frightened to death
Um, they knew that they were Up shit creek without a paddle
RESIDENTS (PETER). They're frightened to death
PETER. Thank God for Emma She's a cool cookie
MARGOT. Winning our case was so gratifying And just such a relief
RESIDENTS (PETER). Um, they knew that they were Up shit creek without a paddle Um, um, um
They knew that they were They knew that they were Up shit creek without a paddle
MARGOT. And such a relief that That not just that it was coming down for the building But such a relief that something A part of the system, did Actually work
PETER. What was so interesting was all of a sudden - how, Um, / we went from
We know it’s going to be, you know Years before this works done To actually doing it in five weeks
13. Light Soon
EMMA. Today was, you know, the van drove out with allThe last poles and boards, anIt feels, / it feels, / it feels great
MARGOT. Emma and I were talking to each other We were like
MARGOT & EMMA (MARGOT.) Oh, my God
We're tearful We actually did it
EMMA. It- it just, - it doesn't feel like you're living in a construction site anymore, it feels like you're living in a home, and You can look out the window An- the sky feels bluer
WILL. It's just now about two years since I moved back here And I'm feeling much more comfortable being here I think has obviously made it possible for me
To think actually, again about Moving on with my life and, um
Possibilities now that, that weren't there before Perhaps
EMMA. And - I keep waiting for, - the sort of, - the novelty to go away But it is unbelievable
WILL. I - sort of have a, have a vague plan
To - move in with my girlfriend at some point, um This year
PETER. We’ve had, um, the tree surgeons out
Who are now - agreeing - to do all of the work that we want
The first thing I did was - to - speak to them upstairs
And Bilal, his, his parents don't speak any English at all
But he does
And I thought he was going to cry
BILAL (PETER). Oh, my god, oh, my god, oh, my god
PETER. Well, you know You're gonna have light soon
RESIDENTS (PETER). Gonna have light soon
Gonna have light soon
Gonna have light soon
EMMA. And I cannot stop looking out the window
RESIDENTS (EMMA). I keep waiting for the novelty to go away, but I cannot stop looking out the window
RESIDENTS (PETER). Gonna have light soon
NABEELA. Once it came down, it was like, it was instant
My- we stood out there in the balcony
My s- my son, and he's nineteen years old
He stood there and he said, because we've got a giant palm tree
In front of us, Which has grown, - um, / and he was like
SON (NABEELA). Mum, I feel like I'm on holiday, like abroad, hah
An- I just feel like I can finally breathe, like, you know
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). I feel like I'm on holiday, like abroad
An- I just feel like I can finally breathe, like, you know
NABEELA. And he was grinning from ear to ear
And we all lined up in the balcony
And just appreciated the view And appreciated - that, you know, and it did feel like, We didn't feel like we needed to go-a Go abroad for the next couple of months
EMMA. We have a view of the city
And the sun sets over the city
And sunlight bounces off the skyscrapers And it was blinding
EMMA (NABEELA). I can finally breathe
NABEELA. You know, straight away
We started, plah-, making plans of how to You know - redo the balcony, not redo, but just tidy it up
Give it a fresh lick of paint and ecetera
And we, sor- of, started sitting out there more frequently
Having chats, having cups of tea
- 02/09/2025
Honestly, it just breathed life back into the home
RESIDENTS (NABEELA). I feel like I'm on holiday, like abroad
An- I just feel like I can finally breathe, like
PETER. People say
PERSON (PETER). Oh, you live in London, it must be so impersonal
PETER. I know all the people on the gate
Like at Liverpool Street Station I know the cleaners on the trains I know all the people I walk up the road, - y- you know We know loads of uh- people - everywhere (to the others) And I’m sure you do, too
It's a lovely place to live
Where else can you hear all the dih- all those Different languages? (to the others) You do, don’t you?
Um, / it’s, - it's properly mul- multicultural and very, very tolerant
You know, we've never had any homophobia
We don't really hide the fact we’re homos
Never have done
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). And refuse to
PETER. But nobody cares
Nobody cares at all / really, /um
And that’s actually
A similarity with Suffolk, they don't really there either
We used to think
PETER & STEPHEN (PETER). Oh, they’re too stupid to notice
RESIDENTS (EMMA). I keep waiting for the novelty to go away, but I cannot stop looking out the window
RESIDENTS (PETER). Gonna have light soon
PETER. Light soon
WILL. I both love this flat but also And you know, and the area and things like that, but also I think It would be - very good to be somewhere diffIt would be very healthy to be somewhere Somewhere different um, - yeah, - fuh- for me, right now
NABEELA. Home is warmth now, for me Home is Home is a safe place
Yeah, that’s all I can say, yeah
AFTER
14. Epilogue - Lucky
COUNCILLOR. I can't speak on behalf of the council
But, as a councillor, I can say They should be fully aware of this situation
Scaffoldings are there to serve a purpose
When it's served its purpose
It needs to come down, - you know?
I'm very clear about that
Companies that, you know, would put those scaffolding up
They've got to take it back and store it
I think it might be a case of - leaving it there
Because - it's just cheaper for them
And eh- ih- if I was to take er, sort of, a little bit of an informed guess
That's what it would be
That's what I'd say
Regardless, even if, the s-, even if it was a scam, Then it's still incompetence of the council, isn't it?
You can’t run awa- you can't shy away from that at all
Like, we fail as a council
We fail the best duty, um, part of, of, of running the council
And - things like this just shouldn't happen
This scaffolding story isn't the only one
What you’ll see - is a lot of - poor service
And inadequate attention to social housing and estates
It's no secret
It's not like residents aren't speaking up It's not like, you know, we don't get it at the doorstep I'd be lying if I said that
It did happen because Neglect of the council
And I think I'll be humble I- I definitely will be humble enough, um, and And have enough humilities to say - that They need an apology from this council For what they've had to endure for the last six years I think they also, - urm, - deserve, this Not just the residents on, - on, on Burdett Square
But just generally, um, people, er, residents of Tower Hamlets should
There should be a review of why it happened How it led to the timeframe that it did And, you know, - seriously put in processes that You know, means it will never happen again
WILL. Do councils work? Clearly not, ha-hum
Does local government work effectively? No
Does that mean there’s a-, you know, sort of- fundamental corruption there?
Probably
not
Are- Are people going to, you know, necessarily make an effort to- to avoid wasting money?
Also probably not
NABEELA. There’s no excuses
You've got brain power, you’ve got brawn power
You've got money, don't deny it
You know, - taking people's taxes, - use it fuh- effectively
MARGOT. There's a really, really direct form of
Public acc- accountability through your MP in Parliament
And they always have to explain themselves
And explaining yourself in front of - Parliament
It's like quite a big deal - because, you know
You're under quite inte- intense scrutiny
So, there's nothing like that for councils
Thes- juh- just like a black hole
PETER. Some of the tenants
Especially if they don't speak English, um
I mean, how awful for them - how could they be expected
To - put up a - reasonable defense, - um
To try and mitigate some of the horror of it?
They're just sitting ducks
EMMA. I think - we’re quite lucky - in a way in our block
Is that we have, you know, Margot, who found the lawyer
We, - there are few people in the block who are Kind of, able t-, have the resources
And the, sort of, wherewithal to fight the council
PETER. Emma, - you know, is, er, ruthlessly efficient, ruthlessly
EMMA. But Tower Hamlets is th- one of the poorest boroughs - in the country
And I just wonder if it's happening elsewhere
If those, if not everyone has the same resources as - we do - to fight
It's funny I'd actually been, sort of Feeling very unconfident at work
Ih- It helped me - kind of become - confident back at work
Because I was so - revved up about it, that I And I was here sort of challenging the deputy mayor
And - it just gave me this kind of confidence in life
Which then trickled into all other parts of my- my life
Because, I was like This is, - this is wrong
PETER. But not seen a rat for four days now We have a friendly fox here
And - the friendly fox bites the rats in half They live on takeaways, don’t they?
Um, they have terrible heart disease
Um, urban foxes
The only place we ever saw rats Were - when we used to go - to the
The gay club of The London Apprentice on Old Street
EMMA. The good thing that has come out of it is that I know all my neighbours now
And I know them quite well
And we have a WhatsApp group
And I do feel a sense of community
An- we’re doing up the communal stairwell now Collectively, - um, - which is really nice, - and
I, you know, I was making a mess there yesterday
Cleaning the window
And I, - I didn't feel guilty - that I was making a mess
In someone else's space
Because it's our space
And we all know it
We have a, a sense of community
Which is quite rare in London sometimes I can’t imagine how I would have met my neighbours otherwise ‘Cause you just don’t really reach out in that way.
Yeah.