It’s the early 2000s. A white teacher, Tim Dunn (Josh Goulding), is gunned down in front of his pregnant wife, Jessica (Antonia Bernath) in a deprived US neighbourhood near where he works, contrary to his wealthy family’s wishes. Jessica insists that Tim was killed by a young black male assailant. The heir to a billionaire, Tim’s murder soon earns an enduring spot in the national headlines. Shortly after the killing an ambitious reporter, Yvonne Robinson (Letitia Wright) joins the respected The Vanguard newspaper, where her boyfriend Jeff (Wilf Scolding), another rich Caucasian, is managing editor. Jeff has a chequered history with Yvonne’s formidable boss, veteran activist and journalist, Patricia Johnson (Lorraine Toussaint). He’s therefore especially keen to keep his and Yvonne’s relationship under wraps.

Pat already doesn’t take kindly to her newest recruit, with her hifalutin ways and thinly-veiled internalised racism. Johnson is especially invested in the outcome of the Dunn case, since the police harass her son more regularly and his mental health is deteriorating as a consequence.

Pat’s protégé and Yvonne’s rival, Neil (Ashley Thomas, aka contemporary UK Hip-Hop royalty, Bashy) is persuaded that Jessica is an overlooked suspect in her husband’s murder case. Meanwhile, Yvonne claims to have stumbled upon a lead involving an elusive girl gang, whilst covering one of the routine local stories to which Pat has confined her. Concerned that Neil’s targeting of Jessica might disgruntle donors, Pat orders him to pursue Yvonne’s lead. Jeff in turn provides his girlfriend with an incentive also to continue her investigation, promising a promotion if it results in something concrete. With two talented and dogged reporters on the case, competition is tight. One of them would do anything, absolutely anything, to pull out in front.

Written by Tracey Scott Wilson and directed by Clint Dyer, The Story’s breakneck speed, and rapid-fire, split-personality dialogue are breathtaking. The basic whodunnit storyline and (what is supposed to be) the manic pursuit of truth is edge-of-the-seat compelling. The high-octane pacing is nevertheless toned down by the second act,  leaving room for more in-depth character exploration, lest it should become gimmicky. Wright reveals another facet to her Meryl Streep-esque versatility as the unsympathetic Yvonne. There’s a delicious anti-chemistry between her and Thomas’ Neil, her analogue, although neither would care to admit it. Both have constructed identities in relation to the polite White society around the margins of which they’ve hovered since childhood. One rejects conformity to embrace a militant self-love, the other regards fellow African-Americans with contempt and resentment. 

Wright, Toussaint and Thomas form a superlative triumvirate, oscillating between factionalism, suspicion and bad faith and uncomfortable alliances. The young ensemble cast likewise provide brilliant support, with an especially creditable turn by Aliyah Odoffin as the enigmatic gangstress, Latisha. Wilson’s play has much to say about the many ways racism also impacts black women, as well as black men’s own complicity in their gendered oppression.

Dyer’s invigorating vision keeps up with Wilson’s highly dynamic script, and his use of Anna Fleischle’s incredible set is inspired. The Story thus has all the right components to be a first class production. It’s just a shame that by the play’s denouement, Wilson’s otherwise sharp script suffers from being too clever by half. Numerous supposed Easter eggs turn out to be red herrings or loose ends. What should finish with a bona fide bombshell concludes in unsatisfying ambiguity.  It nonetheless speaks to the strengths of the piece that it immediately sets off lively and lengthy discussion, as evidenced in the National Theatre’s lobby after the show.

The Story – @the Olivier Theatre/National Theatre, London until 24 October 2026

Personnel:

Written by Tracey Scott Wilson

Directed by Clint Dyer

Set Design: Anna Fleischle

Costume Design: Natalie Pryce

Movement Director: Lucie Pankhurst

Music & Sound Design: Benjamin Grant

Cast:

Jessica Dunn – Antonia Bernath

Tim Dunn – Josh Goulding

Latisha – Aliyah Odoffin

Jeff – Wilf Scolding

Detective Williamson – Jay Simpson

Adrienne – Unique Spencer

Neil – Ashley Thomas

Pat – Lorraine Toussaint

Voice of Granville – Everal A Walsh

Yvonne – Letitia Wright

Ensemble:

Tee Arnold

Donna Augustin

Reanna Bleu

Katie Buchholz

Arianne Caeless

Angelina Chudi

Linseigh Green

Roland Royal III

Matt Whitchurch

This review is also featured on the I Was Just Thinking…blog