A groundbreaking black-led theatre group in Croydon appointed a new chair on Monday, its 40th anniversary, writes Cristina Trujillo…
Talawa Theatre Company is marking its 40th anniversary by appointing Shonagh Reid as its new chair of the board of trustees, taking over from Elaine Banton to continue the group’s vital work in ensuring equal opportunities in theatre.
Talawa Theatre Company was formed in 1986 to platform black talent in theatre, and has performed black versions of plays that were originally written with white actors and audiences in mind.
Shonagh Reid said: “It is an incredible honour to be chair of Talawa Theatre Company, especially in the 40th anniversary year. To be ‘talawa’ is to be strong, resilient and fearless.
“These are characteristics that Talawa Theatre Company has in abundance and will be necessary as we face real challenges within the sector in terms of funding of the arts, cost of living pressures on audiences and societal shifts, as well as restrictions on the curriculum which have stifled creativity and the pipeline of young people into the arts.”
This new chapter for Talawa Theatre Company comes amidst the preparation of its 2026 programme, including Fragments Of Us, starting in May, and Talawa Firsts 2026, launching in June.
On her departure Elaine Banton said: “I am deeply honoured to have served as chair of the board for Talawa for the past six years, and I step down with immense pride in all we have achieved together.”
Highlights for me include Play On!, Running with Lions, and A Place for We; transformative works reflective of Talawa’s power and reach, as well as an inspiring collaboration with RADA slated for 2026.”
Shonagh Reid’s appointment comes four months after the death of one of Talawa’s world-renowned directors, Yvonne Brewster, one of the first black drama students in the UK, she has been dubbed ‘the godmother of Black British theatre.’
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