Black Gold

Talawa Iconic: 40th Anniversary Showcase
2026-10-13 19:00 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London, E8 1EJ, United Kingdom
We’re painting the town Black for one night only: Showcasing Talawa’s Art of Storytelling Across Four Decades.

Talawa, the UK’s leading Black British theatre company, invites you to celebrate four decades of cultural impact in a one-night-only collaboration with the award-winning 125 year old, Grade II listed Hackney Empire, “the most beautiful theatre in London.” Join us on the Black carpet on Tue 13 Oct for an evening celebrating Black excellence, featuring a curated programme of live spectacle including theatre, music, dance and poetry.

Guests will be treated to excerpts from some of our most sensational works, including The Black Jacobins (1986), The Importance of Being Earnest (1989), King Lear (2015), Run It Back (2019) and Play On! (2025).

This date also marks a full year since the passing of Talawa’s first Artistic Director and Founder, Yvonne Brewster OBE, providing us with an opportunity to commemorate her enduring contribution to theatre.

With live music, special guest appearances and a few surprises along the way, TALAWA ICONIC will delight and captivate.

Legacies are built over a lifetime. We’re 40 years deep, and just getting started.

Hospitality Option Available:

Talawa’s one night only, star-studded live entertainment evening is inspired by our treasured archives. What better way to celebrate this 40-year milestone than by treating yourself to a hospitality package at “the most beautiful theatre in London”, Hackney Empire, an historic Grade II listed building designed by architect Francis Matham.

Hospitality packages are offered only in the boxes on the dress circle level, with seating included for three or four persons.

The package includes a welcome bottle of bubbles, 4 tickets to “The Black Jacobins” reading on Mon 9 Nov 2026, four Talawa annual memberships worth £4,000, signed 40th anniversary merchandise, a limited edition Talawa 40th anniversary pen & notebook and crediting on our website. You’ll also have an opportunity to join the afterparty and meet the performers.

The Black Jacobins is our inaugural performance as a theatre company in 1986.

Proceeds go towards securing Talawa Theatre Company’s future in championing Black British talent in theatre for the next 40 years.

Available boxes are limited. Gwaan, secure yours now! For pricing and to book, email Siti Osman, Head of Development at Siti@talawa.com.Presented by Talawa Theatre Company
