As the general election approaches it seems many people are disenchanted with parliamentary politics.

Juliet Gilkes Romero’s play Upper Cut opens the debate on why that might be and whether people might take more of an interest if they felt there was a chance of being properly represented by the candidates on offer.

The play follows the fortunes of two ambitious black Labour activists.

One, Karen Jackson, played by Emma Dennis-Edwards, came to politics determined to see justice.

The other, Michael Powers, played by Akemnji Ndifornyenis, is willing to compromise, believing he will be more effective if he rises to the top of the party hierarchy.

Who will be more successful – and will they be able to achieve success and stick to the ideals that got them in to politics in the first place?

As Karen puts it: “What’s the point of being a black politician if you don’t help your own community?”

Forest Hill-based Juliet Gilkes Romero has worked as a BBC journalist and real news events occur throughout the play including the 2011 riots, election of Barak Obama and death of Labour leader John Smith.

We are whisked back to the historic moment in 1987 when four black labour MPs were elected to a previously all-white house of commons.

The play asks if all-black shortlists would have led to greater diversity in mainstream politics - something that is very much on the agenda today.

Upper Cut is especially relevant to audiences in south east London as the area has a strong tradition of struggle for racial equality.

Juliet Gilkes Romero explains:  “Lewisham was very much at the crucible of anti-racist campaigning in the face of neo-Nazi groups like the National Front.

"The New Cross fire, in which 13 young black people were killed, galvanised political activity and resulted in black activists entering local politics.”

The production makes good use of the intimate space and the actors magically construct by rearranging cardboard boxes.

The small space is perfect for observing the tension as the characters fall further apart. The 90-minute piece with no interval races through the action.

The two main sparring partners are egged on by an Alastair Campbell style political strategist played by Andrew Scarborough, well known for his role as Tim Drewe in Downton Abbey.

Juliet Gilkes Romero is an award-winning playwright. Her last major work was At the Gates of Gaza, which explored the role of the West India Regiment in the First World War.

She says she is committed to theatre that is political: “Politics is life and if people do not understand how democracy and parliament work they will never feel the motivation to visit a ballot box. 

"I was born into an era when African-Americans in certain southern states were denied the right to vote because of the colour of their skin.

"Those times are not far behind us. I think exercising one's democratic right to vote is not only a privilege but a duty and understanding politics should be as important as learning to read regardless of ethnic background.”

  • Upper Cut is at the Southwark Playhouse until Feb 7.