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As part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 the true tale of the slave Joseph Knight is told as the National Theatre of Scotland and Pitlochry Festival Theatre bring Enough of Him to stages all around Scotland…
“To keep that part of me silent. That is what is unbearable. That is why I must be free.”
Enough of Him
Enough of Him is a theatre production that explores the journey of Joseph Knight. It is written by playwright and radio dramatist, May Sumbwanyambe, and directed by award-winning Orla O’Loughlin. Displayed on stage is the internal battle within Knight between his urge to be loyal and desire for freedom. In an exploration of the power dynamics within slavery and love, Enough of Him will have you questioning if past brutalities still bleed into our present realities.
Joseph Knight
Joseph Knight was a Guinean man who was enslaved and taken to Scotland in 1769 by Sir John Wedderburn. There he was forced to work in Wedderburn’s Perthshire mansion and after some time he found himself falling in love and marrying Ann Thompson, a servant at the manor. Wedderburn was very fond of Knight and had him educated but Joseph Knight wished to be a free man and pleaded with his master to let him go. Wedderburn refused his request and as a result Knight ran away. Insulted by this, Wedderburn ordered the arrest of his slave and had him brought before a court. A fascinating legal battle took place between the men and after two appeals, Knight was victorious against Wedderburn. Joseph Knight lived out the rest of his days as a free man with his wife and children.
Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022
Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 is led by Visit Scotland and aims to celebrate and expand knowledge of events and stories that have been inspired, written or created in Scotland. Events will be run by museums, community groups and heritage sights. With the aim of bringing Scotland’s history to life, locals and visitors are encouraged to engage with the places from their favourite local legends, popular stories or films and books.
Where and when
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, (Previews Thu 20 and Fri 21 October) Sat 22 October – Sat 29 October
CatStrand, Castle Douglas, Tue 1 – Wed 2 November
Platform, Glasgow, Fri 4 – Sat 5 November
Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld, Tue 8th – Wed 9th November
Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Fri 11th – Sat 12th November
Perth Theatre, Wed 16 – Sat 19th November
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