Alex Wheatle Day to launch at Peckham Fringe celebrating legacy of “Brixton Bard”

Theatre Peckham and Words of Colour have announced the launch of Alex Wheatle Day, a new annual event celebrating the life and legacy of the late author and champion of young voices.

Taking place on 4^th May 2026 as part of Peckham Fringe, the inaugural event will centre on underrepresented writing talent and inclusive storytelling – values that defined Wheatle’s work and outreach.

At the heart of the programme is a staged adaptation of Wheatle’s YA novella Witness, co-written by Theatre Peckham CEO Suzann McLean and David Fielding. Commissioned by Wheatle before his death in March 2025, the play explores themes of courage, loyalty and truth in the context of knife crime.

The event will also feature a post-show panel including writer and poet Derek Owusu, actor Sheyi Cole and Elliot Edusah, who portrayed Wheatle and his friend in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, and industry executive Iyare Igiehon. Together, they will reflect on Wheatle’s influence across literature, film and television.

Beyond the stage, the day will include a foyer exhibition on Wheatle’s life and work, as well as a music set celebrating the reggae, dub and grime sounds that shaped his creative identity.

Wheatle, often referred to as the “Brixton Bard”, wrote more than 20 books and was widely recognised for his contribution to literature, particularly in young adult fiction. He was also known for his work in schools and prisons, encouraging young people to find their voice through storytelling.

Organisers say the event aims to carry forward that mission. As co-founder Joy Francis put it, the day will “honour his creative palette while championing storytelling at an unprecedented time of financial strain on the arts”.

Alex Wheatle Day will take place at Theatre Peckham on 4^th May 2026 as part of Peckham Fringe.

The editorial unit
Photo: Adrianne McKenzie

For further information, visit the theatre’s website here.