These are theatre productions that feature Black narratives, characters, and themes are becoming increasingly visible, offering a richer and more diverse cultural experience for audiences.
With a buzz around plays and an increase in interest from a new age group of people in their 20s and 30s with more accessible and affordable theatre options, 2024 brought us an exciting lineup of plays that showcased Black talent and storytelling, giving us more opportunities to see Black faces on the stage.
Yes, Many are familiar with long-standing productions like Hamilton and The Lion King on the London scene, but last year introduced us to powerful new works we collectively experienced: For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too heavy by Ryan Calais Cameron, a play that made us cry and smile, showcasing a large range of emotions as we journeyed with five Black men in group therapy sharing their stories. Shifters by Benedict Lombe was a love story like no other, where we fell in love with the actors as we follows two old flames reuniting at a funeral and reliving their story.
My Father’s Fable, which showed at the Bush Theatre; Sylvia by Kate Prince, Priya Parmar, and Josh Cohen, a musical compared to and often labelled the UK’s version of Hamilton; and Barbershop by Inua Ellams , which showed at the National Theatre, telling the story of a group of men advising and sharing stories with a young boy at a barbershop. Tambo & Bones, written by Dave Harris, shown at Stratford East, at 16 TH Jun – 15th Jul 2023) Described as a funny firthy and gleeful satire about the African American male experience. A provocative and darkly comedic look at race, capitalism, and survival in modern America.
Notable, Significant milestones continue to be achieved in Black theatre, with productions like A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry—the first play by a Black woman to debut in the West End—paving the way for greater representation on stage.
As we step into 2025, a new wave of Black theatre is set to captivate audiences once again. Here are the must-watch productions for this year:
A Good House: written by [Amy Jephta], shown at the Royal Court Theatre, A Good House is at the Royal Court Theatre from 11th January until 8th February 2025.A funny, thrilling, and provocative play exploring race, resentment and community politics from a leading South African playwright.
Buy here: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/a-good-house/
Retrograde:, written by Ryan Calais Cameron, is showing at the Apollo Theatre in London from March 8th to June 14th, 2025, following a sold-out run at the Kiln Theatre.This gripping drama captures the moment a young Sidney Poitier prepares to sign a career-defining Hollywood contract that could make him a star.
Book Tickets here: https://nimaxtheatres.queue-it.net/?c=nimaxtheatres&e=apret01mq
Play On!, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Michael Buffong, shown at the Lyric Hammersmith, is set in the jazz scene of New York’s Cotton Club. This stylish production is part of Talawa’s Black Joy season.
Don’t miss out, it’s sure to be amazing book tickets here:Play On! – Lyric Hammersmith
MoreLife: Is a sci-fi gothic horror, by Lauren Mooney and James Yeatman, is set in a future where pain and death are going rapidly out of date., shown at the Royal Court Theatre, The production runs from Thursday 6 February to Saturday 8 March 2025, with press night on Wednesday 12 February 2025.
Book tickets here:More Life – Royal Court
Twin Bound:, Presented by Déviniat Adedibu, shown as a one-night production at the Camden People’s Theatre, (19 March 2025) After one is humiliated at a Nigerian wedding, twin siblings, Kayode and Simi, address their differences in the matter twins raced in a nigerian household Pressure of gender based impact in the way they live and How they are treated as Son and Daughter, what being in your mid-20’s looks like in the midst of gender comparison, womanhood and traditions of the home.
Tickets available here: TwinBond. | Camden People’s Theatre
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives:, adapted by Rotimi Babatunde from the novel by Lola Shoneyin Directed by Femi Elufowoju , shown at the Arcola Theatre (26 Apr – 31 May 2025)
A gripping drama uncovering hidden truths in a polygamous Nigerian household. “Men are like yam, you cut them how you like”
(This is a book adaptation;checkout our Black Must Reads blog for other book suggestions being adapted this year.)
Book tickets here: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives – Arcola Theatre
Alterations, written by Michael Abbensetts ,this award-winning writer, the reinvigorated version of his seminal work illuminates the Guyanese experience of 1970s London and the aspirations and sacrifices of the Windrush generation. shown at the National Theatre. (February 20th till April 5th)
‘Is that what you want? To be an underdog all your life?“This play follows Walker Holt’ played by Arinze Kene a tailor with a shop and big dreams. It exposes the true price of his success. This is the largest staging for this play so far.
Book Tickets here: Archive Unboxed: Alterations at the National Theatre | National Theatre
The Women of Llankumey, written by Azuka Oforka’s, shown at Stratford East, (WED 19 MAR – SAT 12 APR 2025) it has a running time of 2hours and 15 minutes with disability frendly access perfomances oon specific date including BSL on THU 10th of April at 7:30pm, Trauma warning this film does depict Slavery but the age guidance is for 12+: Annie and Cerys are enslaved by the Morgan family from Wales. Their future hangs in the balance when Elizabeth Morgan is faced with losing her plantation. Explores the experience of women during slavery – those who benefited from it, those who were brutalised by it, and those who fought to destroy it. Putting Wales’s role in slavery centre stage; illuminating a hidden chapter of British history.
Book tickets here:The Women of Llanrumney
Cymbeline, written by William Shakespeare, shown at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (March 14th to April 20th, 2025). Shakespeare’s Cymbeline weaves a tale of deception, seduction, and reconciliation while exploring female leadership and the nature vs. nurture debate. The running time is 2 hours. Cymbeline | What’s On | Shakespeare’s Globe
Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew, written by Coral Wyli and directed by Debbie Hannan, shown at the Bush Theatre (8th of Feb till 22nd of March 2025), is a play about PIP a non-binary teenager’s journey of self-discovery through gardening and memories of a deceased family friend, Duncan, and the impact of the AIDS crisis on their family.
The Lonely Londoner, Roy williams adaptation on Sam Selvon’s 1956 novel, shown at the Kiln Theatre, Starting date the 10th of feb till the 22nf Febuary although it no longer runnin i though it worth a mention.Newly arrived from Trinidad, Henry ‘Sir Galahad’ Oliver is impatient to start his new life in London. Carrying just pyjamas and a toothbrush, he bursts through Moses Aloetta’s door only to find Moses and his friends already soured on city life.
Will the London fog dampen Galahad’s dreams? The Lonely Londoners | Kiln Theatre
Little Brother, at the Jermyn Street Theatre, 15 May — 21 June. In Guinea, West Africa, Ibrahima discovers that his little brother has secretly run away from school and is heading to Europe. Ibrahima drops everything to go after him, setting off on the migrant routes of the Sahara towards the Mediterranean.
Black Is the Color of My Voice, written by Apphia Campbell, shown at Wilton’s Music Hall in London from March 13 to 15, 2025 But dont work if you miss thoses dates because The show has a tour that includes dates in Bromley, Dunstable, Worcester, Truro, Torrington, Mold, and Birmingham .The play is inspired by the life of Nina Simone and features many of her iconic songs performed live: Black is the Color of My Voice – Wilton’s Music Hall
The Purist, written by Dan McCabe, shown at the Kiln Theatre, (Sold out Dates) (with a hip-hop themed menu and free exhibit at entrance)
Providers: By Ambeen Razia, showing at Brixton House showing on the 28th – 29th of March, also touring london schools. A raw and gripping story set in South London, following two siblings and two friends as they navigate survival, family, and the weight of responsibility. With the cost of living rising and no parents around, Mia and Saleem find a new way to make ends meet.
Taking a look at the tough choices we make and true resilience, and what it really means to provide.Providers – Brixton House
Rhinoceros, written by Eugène Ionesco, shown at the Almeida Theatre (25 March to 26 April 2025) This play casts some amazing talented black actors, including BAFTA nomeniee Sope Dirisu, follows the story:
After note
A ballet called Shadow by Black presents, which is an adaptation of the book ‘My sister the Serial Killer a book featured in our Black Current reads blog and Instagram post.
I am excited to see these performances, most notably the ones released this month they will also be featured on our Instagram feed so feel free to interact with the posts and comment, on which shows you are most excited to see or your favorite Theatre show you’ve watched recently.
Access and affordability to Black theatre:
There are a few programs helping to provide access to theatre shows, and we suggest you connect to find good offers on tickets or where you can exchange reviews and engage socially around similar topics of interest
The Rendition:
This is a space created by Shore Yewande Connecting audiences to Black theatre in the UK by offering reviews, discounts, interviews
Click here: https://www.instagram.com/the.rendition?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
“Go Live Theatre: https://www.instagram.com/golivetheatre?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Get Discounts:
TIX Today is a great app and website for booking theater tickets on the day.
Buying rush tickets, they tend to retail at £20 or £30. Enter lottery tickets or wait for online sales These amazing deals are targeted at young people in their 20s.
Written by Pamilerin Thompson
BLAM UK CIC 