Marshall Street

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

About the Show

The play will explore the incredible visit of Malcolm X to Smethwick in 1965. Against the backdrop of the swinging sixties, this play explores the stories of the local people who met the infamous American figure, who was assassinated just 9 days later. Malcolm X was invited to Smethwick in 1965 by the Indian Workers Association, amongst reports of strained race relations. Conservative MP Peter Griffiths was backing a campaign to prevent black and Asian families from obtaining houses in Marshall Street. Griffiths had sensationally taken the Smethwick parliamentary seat from Labour the previous year with campaign the slogan “If you want a n*****r for a neighbour, vote Labour.” The play features four characters who represent the full diversity of the local community at the time, who all have a different story to tell.

Malcolm X visited Smethwick on 12 Feb 1965 to investigate the treatment of black and Asian workers and families in Smethwick. A blue plaque to commemorate the visit can now be seen in Marshall Street. Malcolm X was shot during a rally in Harlem, New York on 21 Feb 1965.