020 3292 0002

Talawa

Talawa

Talawa was founded in 1986 in response to the lack of creative opportunities for Black actors and creatives. Today, it is the primary Black led theatre company in the UK, with more than 50 touring productions behind it, and takes up residence within the redeveloped Fairfield Halls in Croydon, giving the UK’s primary Black theatre company a 200 seat studio and offices.

Talawa Theatre Company is a National Portfolio Organisation, supported by funding from Arts Council England in recognition of consistently high quality artistic work and audience development. Our name, Talawa, comes from a Jamaican patois term and means gutsy and strong: ‘me lickle but me Talawa’

“Talawa’s enduring faith in developing new artists is remarkable”

Michaela Coel

Recent Productions

  • The Tide - ‘The Tide’ explores the narratives and experiences of migration within The United Kingdom whilst holding a mirror to an evolving British culture.  The Tide is Talawa's first ever show created exclusively for outdoor performance - Read More
  • Superhoe - Superhoe was Nicôle Lecky’s Royal Court writing and performing debut in a Talawa Theatre Company and Royal Court co-production - Read More
  • Run It Back - Run It Back, a powerful, exciting, explosive and immersive show from Talawa Theatre Company directed by movement director Coral Messam. Run It Back featured dance, physical theatre and a live DJ set to ignite the action - Read More
  • Half Breed UK Tour - HALF BREED is a one woman partly autobiographical dark comedy about faith in yourself: finding your voice, fighting for what you want and being fearless in who you are - Read More
  • Guys & Dolls - Based on Damon Runyon’s off-beat stories, the classic musical Guys & Dolls is set in a world where a roll of the dice solves even the most awkward disputes, will the gamble pay off where love is involved? Guys & Dolls was a Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company co-production - Read More

  • Talawa’s Mission

    Learn more about Talawa’s mission

  • Who’s Who

    Find out who’s who at Talawa

  • MAKE

    More about MAKE: A community of Black British artists

  • Talawa’s Story

    More about the UK’s primary Black theatre company

  • Support Talawa

    Help Talawa support Black British theatre creatives

  • Past Productions

    More than 50 amazing productions

"Run It Back defines the rave culture scene ... must-see immersive theatre"

- The Upcoming

"Don Warrington's King Lear is a heart breaking tour de force"

- The Telegraph

"...clever, audacious, entertaining and full of promise"

- Time Out

"Full of wit, truth, and blazing feeling"

- Metro

"…wrapping the room in language"

- The Times

Residents Performances

Dance Music Theatre

Run It Back

Talawa Theatre Company are opening the Talawa Studio at Fairfield Halls with a revival of their sell-out show Run It Back. Conceived and directed by Coral Messam, created with Gail Babb, and devised by TYPT:18, Run It Back brings rave to theatre. Set in an explosive club night, Run It Back immerses the audience in Black British club culture with dance, physical theatre and a live set from DJ and turntablist Psykhomantus. A disused warehouse.  A party rages.  Distorted bass pulses through the streets, calling the ravers in.  Lost in the music and dripping with sweat, they surrender to the DJ’s game. Bring your rags and flags for a night of theatre powered by grime, bashment and afrobeat! Age recommendation – 14+