Lovers of Black Theatre

19/06/2026

The Barbican Centre have allocated some £10 tickets for Stories of Panafrica on Sat 27th June from 12pm to 6pm.

Stories of Panafrica is a vibrant day of storytelling, performances, music and discussions in partnership with The Africa Centre.

12pm - 1.30pm: Me Wan Go Home: with master storyteller Usifu Jalloh.

1.30pm - 2.15pm: ROOTS, ROUTE AND RHYTHM:

with choreographer Nii Kwartey Owoo, and Musician at IRIE! dance theatre. 

2.30pm - 3.30pm: Memories from Storytellers and Griots:

Endurance Steel Orchestra, Mahogany Carnival Design and IRIE! dance theatre,

will share their tales and histories of Carnivals gone by.

3.30pm - 6pm: Maps to Elsewhere and Otherwise:

with artist-curator Fikayo Adebajo for a gathering rooted in the themes of Project a Black Planet.

4.30pm - 6pm: Pan-Africanism in the Arts: (re)presenting culture, history & politics: 

with writer, curator, educator, and community advocate Anthony Kalume.

To book £10 tickets and for more information please click on link: Stories of Panafrica | Barbican and use promocode STORIES10

Or call Box Office team on 020 7870 2500 and use promocode STORIES10.

14/06/2026

Driftwood at the Kiln Theatre
(LOBT) recently headed to the Kiln Theatre to catch Driftwood, the gripping debut play by Martina Laird. Directed by Justin Audibert (Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre), this production delivers a powerful, high-stakes drama that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Driftwood is a brilliant multilayered piece of theatre. It masterfully weaves together heavy, macro themes like colonialism and independence with deeply intimate, micro stories. At its heart, it explores the raw complexities of motherhood and sibling relationships, showing just how far people will go to protect their future—or claim what they believe is theirs.
The production is anchored by an incredibly talented cast. Each actor, brings a sharp tension to the stage that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The arrival of a stranger named Diamond, a corrupt US Marine, and a web of competing business plans create a pressure cooker environment where one wrong move could ruin everything. It all builds to a highly dramatic ending that leaves a lasting impression.

Driftwood is an enjoyable, and thought-provoking play. It runs until 4th July and is worth a watch.

13/06/2026

MONKEYFACE
We are going to see this play on the 7th July, but it's showing until the 21st. Looks very intriguing, a definite must see.

06/06/2026

This was the inaugural production for East London Theatre School Rep co. and a great for first showing for them. The cast received rapturous cheers and applause throughout the play and a full house standing ovation at the end.
We thoroughly enjoyed it. However, the name of the actors were not revealed on any of the flyers etc. and it would be great to know who these excellent young actors are. We managed to get hold of Darnell Shakespeare, the associate director, who explained more about the vision of the East London Theatre School Rep co. and how thi production came about, in the attached video interview.

05/06/2026

Excellent play which address real-life issues like youth gang, grooming, grief, and peer pressure and an in sight as to how theses issues are dealt with. It was set in inner-city secondary school. The four main characters Quincy. Angelique,Billie Jo and Jessica, played thier⁰ roles supberly. Definitely should be a play shown in secondary schools. The only downside was letting latecomers in at inappropriate time. Also, making more use of the stage setting as there was no real division between the hospital, school and the restaurant the groomer took Jessica. Well done Desiri Okobia

31/05/2026

Please read our newsletter. They're some great plays showing in June.

Find Meetup events so you can do more of what matters to you. Or create your own group and meet people near you who share your interests.

20/05/2026

The Harder They Come. Went to see this outstanding play at the Stratford East Theatre yesterday. There is nothing to fault about this breath taking play. The actors performance was exceptional. The use of prompts was ingenious. It was humorous in parts, emotional and had some audience members voicing their opinions. It's a must see.

16/05/2026

Nine Sixteenths
Journey through '00s nostalgia through the media storm of Janet Jackson's 2004 SuperBowl halftime show
https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/book-online/300458/

13/05/2026

An acclaimed and powerful contemporary play by Ryan Calais Cameron, 'For Black Boys Who Have Considered Su***de When the Hue Gets Too Heavy' brings together six young Black men in a group therapy session as they explore masculinity, mental health, relationships, and identity.

Blending spoken word, music, movement, and raw storytelling, the piece creates a safe and vital space for reflection, healing, and joy.

Through deeply personal and collective experiences, the performers confront themes of racism, vulnerability, brotherhood, and resilience.

This production is performed by the East London Theatre School (ELTS) Rep Company — a dynamic ensemble of emerging artists — offering a bold and moving theatrical experience.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/for-black-boys-who-have-considered-suicide-when-the-hue-gets-too-heavy-tickets-1987362388402?aff=oddtdtcreator
Show dates: Friday 5th & Saturday 6thJune

12/05/2026

About ‘Capping’:
Set in South London, Capping follows Jayden, Zaine, Tola, and Olivia through their final year of sixth form. As exam pressure mounts and secrets unravel, these friends discover that the hardest lesson isn’t on the curriculum - it’s learning to navigate life’s challenges while staying real with yourself and those who matter. Raw, real, and unmissable, Capping captures the authentic voices of South London youth with humour, heart, and unflinching honesty.

Performance Dates:
25th June 2026 – 7:30pm
26th June 2026 – 7:30pm
27th June 2026 – Matinee 3:00pm & Evening 7:30pm
Venue: The Courtyard Theatre, 40 Bowling Green Walk, Pitfield St, London, N1 6EU