THE HOUNDING OF DAVID OLUWALE Runs 3/24- 3/28

THE HOUNDING OF David OLUWALE is the true story of David Oluwale, a Nigerian immigrant who came to Leeds in search of a new life but found only brutality and the determination of one man to find him justice.

On the 4th of May 1969 a bruised and swollen body was pulled from the River Aire in Leeds. Identified as that of David Oluwale, a local homeless man, his death exposed a campaign of systematic police brutality which shook the city of Leeds and led to the imprisonment of 2 police officers accused of his murder. Adapted by Oladipo Agboluaje, from Kester Aspden's award winning book of the same title, this Eclipse Theatre world premiere production will be staged at (venue) on (dates) in the 40th anniversary year of the death of David Oluwale as part of a UK tour.

THE HOUNDING OF David OLUWALE brings David back to tell his story face to face with Scotland Yard Detective Perkins, who was charged with investigating the case. From the prayers of his Maa'mi in Lagos and the glitter of the Mecca Dance Hall to the vagrant shelters of post war Leeds, this is a harrowing portrayal of one man's search for a home in a city that did not want him, another man's search for justice and the refusal of both to give up in the face of racial and social injustice.

Playing David Oluwale is Daniel Francis whose credits include The Brother Size, (ATC/Young Vic), The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night (RSC). He is joined by Ryan Early, as Detective Perkins, recognizable from his role as PC Tom Nicholson in Heartbeat as well as Love Soup and Casualty, Clare Perkins (Casualty, Holby City) as David 's mother Alice and Steve Jackson (The Cops, Clocking Off, Extras) as one of David's tormentors Sergeant Kitching. The cast also includes Howard Charles, Luke Jardine, Richard Pepple and Laura Power.

THE HOUNDING OF David OLUWALE is directed by Dawn Walton, newly appointed Artistic Director of Eclipse Theatre, who has established herself as an innovative director of new writing. Her directing credits include Michael X (Tabernacle) Urban Legend (Liverpool Everyman), 93.2FM, Drag-On (Royal Court Theatre), Winners, The Blacks (Young Vic Theatre). It has been adapted for the stage by Oladipo Agboluaje whose previous collaboration with Eclipse Theatre, an adaptation of Mother Courage and Her Children, was a critical and box office success when it toured in 2004. He has been writer on attachment at The National Theatre Studio and Soho Theatre and writer in residence at the New Wolsey Theatre. Kester Aspden's book documenting David's life was first published in the UK in 2007 to great acclaim and was awarded the CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction in 2008.

Eclipse Theatre is an Arts Council funded initiative which is hosted by a partnership of producing theatres; Birmingham Repertory Theatre, New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich and West Yorkshire Playhouse. Through producing and touring high quality work on the middle scale, Eclipse Theatre aims to increase the diversity of work on offer to existing audiences whilst encouraging new audiences. By facilitating training and employment opportunities for Black and Asian British theatre practitioners, Eclipse Theatre aims to be an active force for influencing and instigating change that will lead to a more equitable theatrical landscape. Previuos Eclipse productions include Little Sweet Thing and Angel House by Roy Williams, Moon on a Rainbow Shawl by Errol John, Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht, adapted by Oladipo Agboluaje and Three Sisters by Anton Chekov adapted by Mustapha Matura.

THE HOUNDING OF David OLUWALE
by Kester Aspden. Adapted for the stage by Oladipo Agboluaje
Director: Dawn Walton, Designer: Emma Wee, Lighting Design: Johanna Town, Sound Design: Mic Pool,

HACKNEY EMPIRE THEATRE
291 Mare Street London E8 1EJ
www.hackneyempire.co.uk
Dates: Tues 24 - Sat 28 March
Box Office: 020 8985 2424
Prices: £16.50 - £14.50, Tues evening & Sat matinee £12.50

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