Review: The Hounding Of David Oluwale

These stories began with the cover-up surrounding this Nigerian immigrant's death, continued throughout the trial of the two policemen eventually accused of his murder and were finally brought to light with Kester Aspden's revelatory book, on which this play is based.

Oladipo Agboluaje's play retells this story through David Oluwale's eyes. His corpse is resurrected in the opening scene and it is his narrative that holds the show together.

But although this is the victim's story told in his own words, Agboluaje fails to say anything particularly new about his life or death here.

Despite the best of intentions, this is an over-complicated and confused production, as we jolt back and forth between now and then, Leeds and Lagos, life and death.

Director Dawn Walton tries her best and the scene transitions are smooth and slick but there's just too much going on.

It's all a bit dizzying really and despite a committed, disturbing central performance from David Francis, it's hard to know what to take away from it all.

The play feels trapped between two worlds - keen to engage with Oluwale's real character but compelled to explore the political implications of his death.

The production feels jumpy as a result and never quite finds its own natural rhythm, which makes it hard for the audience to relax and really lose themselves in the show.

I left convinced this is a story that needs to be told, but unsure this play is the best way to tell it.

To March 28, various times, £12.50-£16.50, 020 8985 2424, hackneyempire.co.uk, Rail: Hackney