Theatre review: racial injustice from yesteryear

The Wrong They Knew cast members (c) Chickenshed

Leona Omotayo Frater reviews Chickenshed’s powerful new play that provides a timely warning from history

“Sometimes the truth is uncomfortable” is a quote that stuck with me after watching Chickenshed’s production The Wrong They Knew. It’s a show which is raw and honest, inspired by real events and highlighting tensions between white communities and black and mixed-race communities in the 1950s. The production is influenced by literature classics such as To Kill A Mockingbird and Twelve Angry Men, and the entire ensemble do such an authentic job of reflecting the time period.

The story did a great job at tackling sensitive issues such as racism, abuse, corruption and the miscarriage of justice while not shying away from the extremities which are needed for the audience to fully understand how unjust those times were. A warning that there are references to physical violence and abuse but many scenarios are insinuated rather than performed offensively and only used when needed to convey the full impact of a scene.

I found myself ruminating on the outcome of the story and how unfair life can be

The story entails a young black man, Theo Rookley Senior (played beautifully by Shiloh Maersk) wrongly accused of a crime by a brutally racist British man, Mr Rob Awol (played a bit too well by Jimmy Adamou) whilst also addressing racial divide and tensions within communities. I found myself ruminating on the outcome of the story (without revealing all) and how unfair life can be.

Shiloh Maersk did a beautiful job both singing and acting, in particular, one of the show’s original songs called Change. The lyrics really spoke to me and did a great job in carrying the end of the plot and tying the story together.

It is not all doom and gloom; there were also pocketfuls of solidarity, dance, and love in both platonic and romantic ways. I especially loved the carnival scene where we saw over 200 cast members dancing together on stage and the actors looked to be having a blast. The community carnival represented hope and unison and it was refreshing to see after such sombre scenes.

I have already watched twice, I am seriously contemplating a third!

Within the communities, we also see a genuine friendship between teenagers, Theo Rookley Junior (played by Ajani Onaolapo), Diello Taylor (played by Kailee Fisher) and Don Taylor (played by Thomas Pope) getting up to the mischief teenagers do, even now! They tackle these tough times with humour and curiosity. Another special mention to the scene with the three grandmas and the two young kids (played by Skye Bossisse and Louie Lyons) which had me cracking up.

As always, the music was performed wonderfully and is one of the aspects of Chickenshed’s productions I look forward to the most. They also did a remix of I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly but altered some lyrics to fit the story. It was sung so hauntingly and beautifully, and so fitting with the scene that was narrated at the same time.

I don’t want to spill the entire plot so I will end by emphasising that Chickenshed have done such a splendid job on this production, and I would absolutely recommend watching it. The story will truly have you reflecting and thinking – there are many life lessons still applicable to the modern time. I have already watched twice, I am seriously contemplating a third!

(c) Chickenshed

The Wrong They Knew is showing at Chickenshed Theatre in Chase Road, Southgate, N14 4PE
From now until 28th March 2026
To book tickets here or call 020 8292 9222