Theatre Peckham’s adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s novella Witness premieres at Peckham Fringe on Saturday 2nd to Tuesday 5th May 2026.
Commissioned and approved by Wheatle before he joined the ancestors, the YA novella has been adapted for the stage by Theatre Peckham’s CEO and Artistic Director Suzann McLean and David Fielding with Words of Colour as a partner.
Originally published by Serpent’s Tail in 2022, Witness centres Cornell who navigates life in a Pupil Referral Unit full of young people marginalised by mainstream schools. When he witnesses a shocking act of violence, his world changes forever leaving him torn between speaking out and risking everything or staying silent to protect those closest to him.
Intense, urgent and still timely, Witness explores courage, loyalty and the price of telling the truth.
There will be four performances and a special announcement in April 2026 so book your tickets soon.
We’d like to thank Alex Wheatle’s family, and Hachette Children’s Group for donating copies of Alex’s acclaimed Crongton series book for the play’s run.
