Death of England: Delroy
26 July 2026
SohoPlace
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Death of England: Delroy, part two in the series currently playing at the SohoPlace theatre.
Thomas Coombes’ performance in Michael had convinced me to go and see this one again to see how it had evolved from its earlier version at the National a few years back.
And boy, does this one pack a punch! Paapa Essiedu is absolutely stellar as Delroy, commanding the stage with ease.
Delroy, the second part in the Death of England series, focuses on the titular character as his life threatens to spiral out of control. Having spent his life trying to lift himself into a comfortable life, he works as a bailiff, owns his own flat, is starting his own family. But on one fateful day, as his girlfriend lies in hospital, about to give birth to their first child, one small stroke of fate spins everything out of control. As he is racially profiled, he has to confront everything he believes about himself, his family and friends, and the country he grew up in.
This urgent and passionate story has been mildly updated to be in line with recent happenings in 2024, giving it more strength and contemporary importance. Thought provoking and deeply touching, Delroy delves into what it means to be English, what it means to live in this country as a person of colour, deconstructing English society beautifully and asking where we stand as a country, where all this is leading us.
It’s a powerful examination of how our environment shapes us as people, and what the underlying structures in this country contribute to personal mindsets, regardless of heritage. Another brilliant instalment in the series and not to be missed!
