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 Tuesday 13 October 2026 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.
