The even twill take place at Hackney Empire on the 13th October.
It has been announced that Talawa Theatre Company will host an evening event in October, honouring the artists, productions and pioneers who have shaped four decades of Talawa Theatre Company.
During the event marking the 40th anniversary of the theatre company, the event will be an evening of live music, performance, dance, poetry and reflection in collaboration
with leading arts venue Hackney Empire which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
With special guest appearances still to be announced, audiences can expect a journey through the company’s rich history. Featuring excerpts from some of the most celebrated productions in Talawa’s repertoire including The Importance of Being Earnest (1989), King Lear (2015), Run It Back (2019) and Play On! (2025), the showcase will trace the evolution of Talawa Theatre Company and the artists, stories and landmark productions that have shaped its legacy.
In addition, Talawa will also present an excerpt from its groundbreaking debut production The Black Jacobins (1986), which made British theatre history as one of the first major shows with an entirely Black cast. Originally directed by Talawa’s first Artistic Director and Founder, Yvonne Brewster OBE, Talawa will commemorate her enduring impact on theatre, with the event taking place one year after her passing.
The company was founded by by Jamaican-born director Yvonne Brewster OBE, actor Mona Hammond OBE, actor Dame Carmen Munroe and producer Inigo Espejel, Talawa was established to create opportunities for Black artists who were routinely excluded from Britain’s major stages. Forty years later, the company stands as an Olivier Award nominee and finalist for The Stage Awards Producer of the Year 2026, having transformed the landscape of theatre through pioneering productions, talent development and cultural leadership.
Talking about the news: Talawa’s artistic director Michael Buffong comments, “For me, and Talawa, this is more than an anniversary, it’s history in the making; one extraordinary night of theatre, culture and celebration, and we are inviting all to share this moment with us.”
To book tickets visit: https://talawa.com/production/talawa-iconic-40-year-anniversary/