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Jimmy Savile play to open in London in June

A play about disgraced paedophile Jimmy Savile will open in London in June.

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Savile play is 'cashing in on pain' says charity

The CEO of a charity which aims to help victims of child abuse has criticised plans to open a play about the disgraced pedophile Jimmy Savile.

Credit: Press Association

Peter Saunders from The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) has told ITV Calendar that the producers 'An Audience With Jimmy Savile' are "cashing in on pain," and added that it would be disrespectful to victims of Savile's abuse.

For the many survivors of abuse we are in touch with, including some who are Savile’s victims, I doubt many or any of them would view this as good taste. His is a face they don’t want to see again. It is someone cashing in on pain. I wouldn’t go near the thing and nor would most people out of respect to all those people he hurt, the children in hospitals he assaulted, the ones he raped.

– Peter Saunders, NAPAC

New Jimmy Savile play to open in June

A new play about disgraced paedophile Jimmy Savile will open in London in June.

Credit: Press Association

'An Audience With Jimmy Savile' has been written by journalist Jonathan Maitland and impressionist Alistair McGowan will play the role of TV presenter and DJ Savile.

Maitland has told the Guardian that he has been in contact with many of Savile's victims and their lawyer and is convinced the time is right to tell the complex story of how the longtime predator got away with abuse on a serial scale.

"There are two sides to Savile and whether you like it or not the unpalatable truth is he got to do what he did because, back then, he was entertaining and funny. He groomed the nation," said Maitland.

'An Audience with Jimmy Savile' begins at Park theatre, north London on 10 June.

The victims were exploited by not being listened to and this play is giving them a voice. There is a real public interest question. What everyone wants to know – how on earth did this happen?

Yes, it will be strange to see someone doing (Savile) for the first time, but I think people are ready.

– Jonathan Maitland

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