Talawa Theatre Company to mark 40 years with gala at Hackney Empire
Talawa Theatre Company will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala event at Hackney Empire this October, highlighting four decades of Black excellence in British theatre.
The 40th anniversary gala will take place on 13 October at Hackney Empire, featuring live music, performance, dance, poetry, and reflection. The event will include excerpts from landmark Talawa productions such as The Black Jacobins (1986), The Importance of Being Earnest (1989), King Lear (2015), Run It Back (2019), and the 2024 production Play On!.
The Black Jacobins is notable for having one of the first major British theatre casts composed entirely of Black actors, marking a historic moment for the company and British theatre at large. Talawa’s programming over the years has consistently pushed boundaries by spotlighting Black stories and talents.
The anniversary event also holds special significance as it falls one year after the passing of Yvonne Brewster, Talawa’s first artistic director and one of the company’s founders. Brewster, alongside Mona Hammond, Carmen Munroe, and producer Inigo Espejel, established Talawa in 1986 in response to the exclusion of Black artists from Britain’s major theatre stages.
Current artistic director Michael Buffong described the anniversary as “more than an anniversary, it’s history in the making.” He invited audiences to share the night of theatre, culture, and celebration.
Hackney Empire’s CEO Chris Sudworth highlighted Talawa’s pioneering role: “Talawa has been a pioneering force in British theatre, championing Black creative excellence for over 40 years.” He noted the company’s recent collaboration on the 2024 tour of Play On! and expressed enthusiasm for supporting the anniversary event as part of Hackney Empire’s 125th celebrations.
The anniversary gala will also feature special guest appearances, which are yet to be announced, adding an element of anticipation to the commemorative evening.
Talawa’s four-decade history reflects significant cultural shifts and persistent efforts to increase representation and opportunities for Black artists within the UK theatre industry.
