Josie Dale-Jones is a force to be reckoned with as she takes to Shoreditch Town Hall for her show, A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here. The show is an exploration of topics such as censorship, free speech, artistic freedom, and cancel culture. In 2022, Dale-Jones faced huge backlash online and in the art community, as the concept for her show, The Family Sex Show, was aimed at educating children about sex, boundaries, relationships, and consent. Under heavy scrutiny, the play became yet another casualty of formidable online trolls. The show is a bold cry for help to us as a community to raise awareness for taboo topics, for not conforming to the narrative that, as Josie states, “the fear of controversy stops us reaching for better”. A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here is essential in an era where these conversations are more relevant than ever.
The choice to hold the show at Shoreditch Town Hall is a statement in itself, as since the 1860s, it has been a place for controversial and civic discussions. Shoreditch, too, has long been a hub for freedom of expression and subversive voices. The production visually and structurally reinforced its themes. The opening scene carried a comedic yet unsettling flare, with Dale-Jones wriggling across the stage like a worm. It was difficult to miss that she was zipped up in a body bag, which holds some symbolism for later on. The first half of the production uses minimalist staging, with Josie alone at a desk, spotlit and with microphones on her. This forces us to engage and focus on what she has to say. Next, Josie bursts into an exaggerated song and dance, whilst wearing a spectacular gold tux. Perhaps this is representative of conforming to the expectations of the arts industry. The final section is set inside Josie’s mind, exposing the internal conflict and worries that progressed following her experience with The Family Sex Show.
During the monologue, Josie tells the audience about the public backlash, hate messages, and even bomb threats that occurred. She keeps the audience captivated by her assertive tone, addressing how the hate towards her show started online in Spain and quickly escalated globally. Tabloids like The Daily Mail sensationalised the issue, and social media accelerated the outrage and misinformation. Josie highlights how people are afraid to speak about things they don’t understand, but “knowledge is power”. Josie’s vulnerability in the second half is striking. “I want to be safe, but I want to speak”, sums up the moral dilemma that many artists or public figures face. Suddenly, from the composed monologue, things start to unfurl into an unravelling of thoughts and emotions. As an audience, this half allows us to connect emotionally with Dale-Jones and understand the journey she conquered to be able to present us with A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here, today.
The show was not just a performance but a declaration. Josie rewrites her history on stage, reclaiming the voice that she was denied. Despite the obstacles and censorship that she faced, she defied expectations and created something powerful. This show matters in today’s world – as censorship debates intensify, theatre remains a place for truth and resistance. This was a brave, thought-inspiring performance and a must-see for those who care about free-speech, the arts, and the power of storytelling.
Zoe Brunskill is an Editorial Intern at Aspects of History. Shoreditch Town Hall is a leading cultural, community and live events space housed in one of the grandest former civic buildings in the capital
