Theatre Peckham and Words of Colour have announced the launch of Alex Wheatle Day, a new annual event celebrating the life and legacy of the multi-award-winning author Alex Wheatle, who died in March 2025.
The inaugural Alex Wheatle Day will take place on Monday 4 May 2026 at Peckham Fringe.
Central to the day is a staged adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s YA novella Witness, written by Theatre Peckham CEO Suzann McLean and writer David Fielding. The adaptation was commissioned by Wheatle before his death.
Set against the backdrop of knife crime, Witness explores themes of courage, loyalty and the cost of telling the truth.
The event will also feature a post-show panel with award-winning writer and poet Derek Owusu, actors Sheyi Cole and Elliot Edusah, who portrayed Alex Wheatle and his best friend Valin in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, and film and TV executive Iyare Igiehon.
Alex Wheatle, often referred to as the Brixton Bard, wrote 21 books and received numerous accolades, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award for Crongton Knights. The BBC adaptation of Crongton won the RTS Award for Best Children’s Programme 2026 and has been nominated for a BAFTA Television Award 2026.
A passionate advocate for literacy, Wheatle regularly worked with schools and prisons and believed that “creativity is a necessary tool to tackle the modern world for young people”.
Joy Francis, Alex Wheatle Day Co-Founder and Executive Director of Words of Colour, said: “I knew and worked with Alex Wheatle for over a decade. Alex was a literary activist, poet, playwright, novelist, screenwriter and MC with a deep knowledge and love of reggae, dub and Lovers Rock which he admitted saved his life. He wanted young people, especially young black people, to have the opportunity to be creative, to shine and be heard. Once a year, Alex Wheatle Day will honour his creative palette while championing storytelling at an unprecedented time of financial strain on the arts.”
Suzann McLean MBE, Alex Wheatle Day Co-Founder and CEO and Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham, said: “Theatre Peckham and Words of Colour wanted to create Alex Wheatle Day to honour Alex’s legacy as a writer and the impact of his work. Alex encouraged people from underrepresented backgrounds to tell their own stories, and his books offer a realistic picture of growing up in contemporary Britain. He believed sharing these stories could inspire change. At Theatre Peckham, Alex Wheatle Day allows storytelling, community and opportunity to connect.”
The day will also include a foyer exhibition curated by Words of Colour, a reggae, dub, Lovers Rock and grime DJ set by Hybrid J, as well as food stalls and raffles, with prizes including the Crongton book series donated by Hachette Children’s Group.
Actor Sheyi Cole, who played Alex Wheatle in Small Axe, said: “Every time I think about Alex it’s a constant reminder of his resilience. Take one day at a time; having the courage not to let your past define your future. This is something I hold on to and try to mould my own life around. Having a day dedicated to Alex will not only remind people of this but also educate the generation to follow. It will be a beautiful day for people to celebrate his legacy.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
