The Story at the National Theatre

“I’d like to be thought of as a reporter, not a Black reporter,” says young journalist Yvonne. The Story follows Yvonne’s frenetic pursuit of a career at a newspaper, joining the publication shortly after the unsolved murder of a white man in a primarily Black area.

Though written in 2003, it is impossible to watch The Story in London today without drawing connections to the current media landscape. Traditional media giants are fighting for readership against social media creators, the line between truth and fiction is more difficult to distinguish than ever due to AI-generated imagery and videos, and the recent death of Jason Arday has reignited conversation about how race impacts coverage in the press.

The Story was inspired by a young Black reporter for The Washington Post named Janet Cooke, who in 1981 was exposed for making up a story about an eight-year-old drug addict. The scoop had won Cooke a Pulitzer, which she later returned – making her the only winner ever to do so.

In this context, the stakes of The Story feel lofty. This is magnified by the dynamic script, undertaken by a cast of performers who make each character feel rounded and real, whilst simultaneously maintaining a tight-chested level of drama.

The slick cast also flex their comic timing throughout the production, bringing a sense of levity to an otherwise extremely heavy show. Tracey Scott Wilson’s fast-moving play shifts between drama, thriller and, on occasion, sitcom. At times, this is gripping. Towards the end of Act 2, the constant change of dynamics becomes convoluted, verging on incomprehensible. The second half of the show is dense with plot twists which, although certainly unexpected, come so late in the production that little time is left to digest the events.

Lorraine Toussaint as flinty editor Pat is magnificent. Displaying the idiosyncrasies of a powerful media figure and a thick skin that can only be developed through a lifetime of suffrage, her vulnerability in Act 2 is a theatrical feat. Playing opposite Letitia Wright, the pair dance a fraught dance, with Wright embodying a familiar drive and desperation. Aliyah Odoffin also shines as Latisha, and Ashley Thomas’s Neil brings some much-needed grounding to the show.

The Story is pacey, unpredictable and moving. Towards the end of the play, it spirals slightly out of control; however, the cast’s absolute commitment maintains a level of watchability.

Emilia Gould
Photos: Feruza Afewerki

The Story is at the National Theatre until 24^th October 2026. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.