New Directions, Histories, and Adaptations in Black Theatre and Performance

Conference date: 19 June 2026

Host Organization: Woburn Suite (G22/26) & G21, Senate House, Malet St, London, WC1E 7HU

Organizers: Tiziana Morosetti (Goldsmiths, University of London) and Lynette Goddard (Royal Holloway, University of London)

The Symposium is organized in collaboration with the African Theatre Association (AfTA) and the Institute for Languages, Cultures and Societies, School of Advanced Study, University of London

Yvonne Brewster (1938-2025) transformed the British stage with the co-founding of Talawa Theatre and groundbreaking adaptations of classic, canonical and epic plays. From the 1970s onwards, Brewster’s work was exemplary of the potential to overcome the challenges faced by Black theatre in the UK and elsewhere. To celebrate Yvonne Brewster’s work and influence on Black British and Caribbean theatre-making, we will hold a one-day symposium on ‘New Directions, Histories, and Adaptations in Black Theatre and Performance’.

Focusing on Yvonne’s legacy, we aim to examine how Black theatres continue to increase visibility in an increasingly aggressive political environment. Contributions should offer a comparative perspective encompassing examples from African and diasporic African theatre and performance, that includes discussions of how twentieth-century developments have influenced current theatres and performances, and/or examples from the new millennium.

For any questions, please contact  the symposium conveners at [email protected] and [email protected]. Please include the words “New Directions, Histories, and Adaptations…’ in the subject line.

Programme (updated 16 May 2026)

Abstracts and Biographies

Registration for in-person attendance

Registration for online attendance

Registration fee

The conference, which is free to attend, can be attended in-person or online.

To help us plan resources and catering, please choose one form of registration only (in person or online). If you wish to change mode of attendance, please register again through the correct link, and cancel your earlier registration. Thank you.

Registrations will close on 12 June at 9.00am BST (UTC+1). If you would like to attend but missed the registration deadline, please book a “waiting list” ticket as some places are likely to become available after this date. For any questions about registration, please contact Tisiana Morosetti at [email protected].