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.
The audience will be treated to excerpts from some of our most sensational works, including:
- The Black Jacobins (1986)
- The Importance of Being Earnest (1989)
- Antony & Cleopatra (1991)
- Girls (2016)
- Run it Back (2019)
- A Place for We (2021)
- Recognition (2023)
- Play On! (2024)
- Fragments of Us (2025)
Special guests will include: Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE (The Lion King, Olivier award nominee), Tameka Empson (Eastenders, Hackney Empire Pantomime since 2004), Ben Thomas, Theresa Ikoko, David Webber, Laurence Ubong Williams (The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre) and Doña Croll (Antony & Cleopatra, All My Sons).
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.
Legacies are built over a lifetime. We’re 40 years deep, and just getting started. TALAWA ICONIC will delight and captivate.
Date: Tue 13 Oct
Time: 7:00PM. Doors and Black Carpet from 6:00PM
Programme duration: 2 hours 30 mins including 30 minute interval
Venue: Hackney Empire, East London
Priority Booking: Thursday 11 June 2026
General Sale: Friday 12 June 2026
Tickets available at talawa.com and hackneyempire.co.uk from £40
Hospitality packages available from £4,000
£20 tickets will be made available for under 25s and Croydon and Hackney locals
Hospitality Options 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.
Your hospitality package includes:
- A welcome bottle of bubbles
- 4 tickets to “The Black Jacobins”^ reading on 09 November 2026
- Four Talawa annual memberships worth £4,000
- Signed 40th anniversary merchandise
- A limited edition Talawa 40th anniversary pen & notebook
- Crediting on our website
You’ll also have an opportunity to join the afterparty and meet the performers.
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 [email protected].
^The Black Jacobins is our inaugural performance as a theatre company in 1986.
Oct 2026 — Oct 2026
Book Now
(opens in a new tab)Directed By
Michael Buffong
Featuring
Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE
Tameka Empson
Ben Thomas
Theresa Ikoko
David Webber
Laurence Ubong Williams
Lifford Shillingford
Doña Croll
