The emotional scars of the past show in ‘The Story,’ directed by Clint Dyer, written by Tracey Scott Wilson, and starring Letitia Wright and Lorraine Toussaint.
Performing to a packed house at the National Theatre, the play ended its eight-week run. This was the second production of 2026 by Clint Dyer. Earlier in the year, Dyer staged ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ starring Aaron Pierre and Giles Terera at the Old Vic. ‘The Story’ does more than take on personal reckoning. Like ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,’ it goes beyond the surface and addresses racial tension. Furthermore, the production looks at workplace politics and socioeconomic status.
Photo Courtesy: The National Theatre
Soulful choir melodies evoke the childhood memories of the main character. Later, tunes like ‘In a Sentimental Mood’ bring the warmth to the audience and the moment on stage. In short, Dyer leverages sound at surprising times, highlighting the complexities of the characters.
While character motives might vary, Dyer’s direction of the play sheds light on the similarities in their thoughts. Central characters express their inner thoughts and comments in separate but simultaneous dialogues. This technique shows the commonality between the characters, even if they don’t see it themselves.
The murder of a white male teacher in a Black neighborhood is the core of the storyline. But the identity of the killer is not where the weight of the play lives. Consequently, we follow The Vanguard team, a predominantly Black subset of a news outlet. Two of the group’s reporters, Yvonne and Neil, compete to be the first to break new details on the murder case. Discussions of the scrutiny of young Black males by law enforcement occur as violence erupts. Now, the chances of this scrutiny being passed on to young Black females are a point of contention in the community.
Understudy Roland Royal III delivers levity to the storyline with his character Neil. Through a character fully tapped into the cultural aspects of Black America’s experience, Royal brings a relatable truth to the play.
Toussaint’s performance as Pat is incredible as she calls up memories of the Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, her artistry personifies the pain of untold stories from women of the era. Wright’s portrayal of Yvonne provides a different degree of depth to the production. Yvonne is a complex character whose portrayal requires a specific skill. Ultimately to play this role, the actor must slowly peel back multiple layers of a life in perfect timing for the audience. Under Dyer’s direction, Wright’s performance keeps the audience in suspense to the very end.
Photo Courtesy: The National Theatre
The production delivered its final performances on October 23 and October 24.
