Photography by Feruza Afewerki

The clue is in the title: The Story is a show about what makes a great story. There is more to it than that, of course, but Tracey Scott Wilson’s play, which debuted in New York back in 2003 but received its UK premiere just last week at the National Theatre in London, focuses on a young ambitious reporter who is tempted to cut corners in order to be the first to solve a complicated case, one which has captured the public’s imagination.

It is not a true story, but it’s inspired by real events. The Story draws inspiration from the life of Janet Cooke, a former writer for the Washington Post, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her reporting, though it later transpired she had fabricated her story (she subsequently returned the prize). We are introduced Yvonne, a young Black journalist, played by Letitia Wright (best known for her role in the Black Panther films); we also meet her editor Pat (Lorraine Toussant) who is seeking positive news stories from the Black community, and Yvonne’s white boyfriend Jeff (Wilf Scolding). Jeff is running the news desk and has offered her a promotion if she lands a big scoop.