Media Gallery
Seating Plan
Production Photographs
The Hounding Of David Oluwale runs for 2 hours and 5 minutes including one interval.
Special Dates
- After Dark : Thu 26 February
Audio
- Listen to this page
Three Course Dinner Available: Find out more
Useful Links
West Yorkshire Playhouse, The New Wolsey Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre as part of the Eclipse Initiative present
The Hounding Of David Oluwale
Wed 25 Feb 2009 – Sat 28 Feb 2009
Main House
By Kester Aspden
Adapted for the stage by Oladipo Agboluaje
4 May 1969 and the battered body of a 38 year old man is pulled from the River Aire. An internal police inquiry will follow, revealing how he had been the victim of horrific, systematic, police brutality.
“My name is David. David Oluwale”
Based on Kester Aspden’s award winning book, Oladipo Agboluaje brings David Oluwale back to Leeds to tell his story, face to face with the Scotland Yard Detective charged with investigating the case. From the prayers of his Maa’mi in Lagos and the glitter of the Mecca Dance Hall to the vagrant shelters of a city that’s trying to recreate itself, this is a story of one man searching for justice and another who just wanted to find home.
Praise for the book The Hounding Of David Oluwale, winner of the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger Award for Non-Fiction 2008:
“Kester Aspden’s account is a timely one, reminding us of the profoundly sad connections between past and present.”
The Independent
“A shocking and engrossing story…a kind of In Cold Blood set in Leeds”
Financial Times
| Date | Time | Date information |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 25th Feb 2009 | 19:00 | |
| Thu 26th Feb 2009 | 19:30 | After Dark |
| Fri 27th Feb 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Sat 28th Feb 2009 | 19:30 |
“A powerfully imagined, theatrically fluid reconstruction”
The Guardian
“Dawn Walton’s production has many shocking episodes to relate, and it navigates the usual pitfalls of documentary theatre – preachiness, piety, visual poverty – with stylish aplomb. There is a central performance of immense gravity and guile from Daniel Francis.”
The Guardian
“That the play works as both incisive social comment and emotiona; drama is a credit to all those involved in bringing David Oluwale to life again.”
Independent
“A heartbreaking performance from Daniel Francis as David Oluwale.” ****
Yorkshire Post
“Dawn Walton’s fluid staging for Eclipse Theatre…essential viewing”
Daily Telegraph
“It’s a richly emotional play which proves its point without coming across like it has a point to prove.”
Dig Yorkshire
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Comments
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Kate from Birmingham
I went to see this stunning piece of theatre last night and it really was very well done! The company worked seamlessly together and i really enjoyed it. I would recommend it; a fine performance from the entire cast. Very well done. :)
Jo McCausland from Sheffield
I found it very thought provoking ...in a good way. I saw it last night and am still thinking about it today. That's the power of live theatre for you! Thanks REP. The set was very cleverly configured too by the way.
Helen O'Brien from Birmingham
This was a wonderful production, one of the best I've seen at the REP.The acting was superb and the set, as ever, was ingenious. One of the things that we all remarked on was the play's structure. Over all the message is very pessimistic, but by interspersing the relentless downfall of the main character with much more light hearted scenes it made for a compelling evening. Strongly recommend this show.
Melanie from West Midlands
Excellent show last night, well acted and thought provoking.
Joanne from Birmingham
I went to see the play on Wednesday. The play was well acted and even though the cast played more than one part they were able switch between characters and remain convincing. I was completely moved by the performance and was close to tears on a few occasions. I have recommended it to friends and family and they have booked to see it. Congratulations to the cast and very well done to all those involved in the production.
Trish from Birmingham
Though this play was very upsetting with it's content, it was a very good play which I enjoyed and would recommend. The cast were first rate. Well done to the entire company.
Wendy from Kings Norton Birmingham
Excellent production well performed and I couldn't stop thinking about it, recommended it to colleagues next day.
Emily from birmingham
What a fantastic performance!! Actors were brilliant but the actor who played David was amazing-he deserves an oscar! Well done. The play was very moving and very thought provoking. I'm so glad I came to see this performance, it was more than worth it!
Sylvie Green from Rugby, Warwickshire
Well done to the entire cast and creators of ‘The Hounding of David Oluwale’. The play evoked the worst nightmare of racism but left us with hope in the steadfast figure of Ryan Early. My most emotional experience; Maa’mi’s ‘go and return safely’ prayer for David. In this scene, Clare Perkins performance as Maa’mi offered a deeply moving link to the recent past and for all of us who have children. A tremendous memorial. Sylvie Green
Abiye Hector-Goma from Leeds
I look forward to watching this play when it comes to Leeds. In every community there are the good, the bad and the ugly. The same Leeds that played home to such police brutality also brought out the remarkable work by a fine man, Kester Aspden (who recently gave a thought-provoking account of Nigerian Community in Leeds of the '40s and '50s, and the death of Oluwale), as well as Max Farrar who coordinates a lobby for a befitting David Oluwale memorial in Leeds. There are still 'Oluwales' whose stories are waiting to be uncovered in our midst. After watching the play, it would be meaningless if we simply point accusing fingers at the police. Some officers are doing a good job. Let's look at the big picture. Why do people leave their countries? What support is provided by their own own people in the new land? What makes people receptive to, or resentful of immigrants? There are several other questions to ask and answer along the line, even as we shout a resounding, 'No more!' Remember, when you point a finger at someone, three other fingers point in your direction. Look around you.