Based on a true story, Enough of Him, explores the life of Joseph Knight, an African man enslaved by plantation owner Sir John Wedderburn and brought to Scotland to serve in his Perthshire mansion. In a first-time collaboration between the National Theatre of Scotland and Pitlochry Festival Theatre May Sumbwanyambe’s historical domestic drama, directed by Orla O’Loughlin opens in Pitlochry before touring Scotland in October and November 2022.
Highly favoured by Wedderburn and yet still enslaved, Joseph Knight balances on the knife edge between obligation and a soul-deep yearning for freedom. He forges a bond with Annie, a young Scottish servant working in the household, and the two of them fall in love.
But the walls of Ballindean do not keep secrets — their affair unsettles Lady Wedderburn, whose bitter loneliness is only deepened by the close bond her husband has with Knight. Joseph will endure bondage no longer. What happens when Joseph’s dreams clash with those of the man who owns him? What becomes of us all when past brutalities bleed into our present realities?
Omar Austin takes on the lead role of Joseph Knight. On graduating, Omar filmed the second series of Jez Butterworth’s Britannia (Sky/Amazon) and made his professional stage debut in the world premiere of God of Chaos (Theatre Royal, Plymouth). Other credits include So Here We Are (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch) and The Book of Actions (Nouveau Riche). Catriona Faint plays the role of Annie, a young Scottish servant in the Wedderburn household who has a close bond with Joseph Knight. Catriona has most recently performed in The Tempest (Tron Theatre) and ‘Tis a Pity She’s a Whore (Sam Wanamaker Festival). Matthew Pidgeon, playing the role of the wealthy Sir John Wedderburn, is a seasoned theatre, radio, TV and film actor. His most recent theatre and TV work includes The Mirror and the Light (Gielgud Theatre), Bitter Wheat (Garrick Theatre West End), Life After Life (BBC) and Crime (Britbox). Matthew’s previous work with National Theatre of Scotland includes James III, Caledonia, Realism and the Wonderful World of Dissocia (with Edinburgh International Festival). Lady Margaret Wedderburn is played by recent RADA graduate Rachael-Rose McLaren.
Enough of Him is a thrilling exploration of power and its attendant tensions: between those who are enslaved and those who are free, servants and masters, and husbands and wives.
Sumbwanyambe previously wrote The Trial of Joseph Knight, a drama focussing on the trial and its case, which was broadcast as a radio play on BBC Radio 4 in 2018.
Joseph Knight became a notable figure in a landmark legal battle that saw him successfully appeal against a Scottish court’s decision that had reduced him to mere property in the ownership of his former master. This victory affirmed that Scots Law could not uphold the institution of slavery in Scotland, a ruling that would make a profound contribution to paving the way for the abolition of slavery in Scotland /Britain.
Originally scheduled to tour in 2020, an extract of the play, Joseph Knight, was created as an online short, as part of the National Theatre of Scotland and BBC’s Scenes for Survival series.
May Sumbwanyambe is a librettist, radio dramatist, academic and playwright from Edinburgh. Previous productions include: Ghost Light, (Edinburgh International Festival and National Theatre of Scotland), Joseph Knight, (BBC Scotland, National Theatre of Scotland), After Independence (Arcola Theatre, Papatango Theatre), After Independence and The Trial of Joseph Knight (BBC Radio 4). He is currently writing new stage plays for The National Theatre of Scotland, the Citizens Theatre, and Gridiron Theatre/The National Trust for Scotland. In 2013 he became the inaugural Papatango Resident Playwright, which saw his debut play After Independence produced by London’s Arcola Theatre. It opened in 2016 to critical acclaim, winning the Alfred Fagon Audience Award.
Orla O’Loughlin is an award-winning director based in Scotland, currently Vice-Principal and Director of Drama at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She returns to Scottish theatre to direct Enough of Him, having previously been Artistic Director of the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh where her acclaimed productions include: Mouthpiece, What Girls are Made Of, Ciara, Swallow and Meet Me at Daw. Orla is a former Artistic Director of Pentabus Theatre, and Associate Director of the Royal Court Theatre. She received a Professorship in 2020 for outstanding contribution to the advancement of her discipline.
Enough of Him is part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 led by VisitScotland showcasing a nationwide programme of major events and community celebrations. From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present. It will contribute to recovery from the pandemic and inspire new stories of Scotland to be shared.
Enough of Him by May Sumbwanyambe, directed by Orla O’Loughlin
Associate director Garen Abel Unokan and lighting designed by Emma Jones
Cast: Omar Austin, Catriona Faint, Rachael-Rose McLaren, Matthew Pidgeon
At Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 20 October to 29 October 2022 and touring to CatStrand, Castle Douglas; Platform, Glasgow; Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld; The Brunton, Musselburgh and Perth Theatre from the 1 to 19 November 2022.
Opening Performance on 22 October, 4.30pm at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Part of Black History Month and celebrating Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022