Theatre Peckham celebrates black British brilliance

Theatre Peckham has announced the highly anticipated return of its Young, Gifted and Black season.

Now in its sixth year, the programme at the award winning Havil Street venue will run from October 6, to November 2, unveiling untold stories and honouring unsung heroes.

This year’s season has been curated with co-producers Lara Grace Ilori and Joshua Aketse-Entsie. 

Young, Gifted and Black opens with a vibrant celebration of black culture, reflecting on ‘Hard to Let’, a legacy film produced by Theatre Peckham in the early ’90s. 

The season will continue to feature five powerful plays, a spoken word event, a scratch night showcasing new Black writers, and community conversations centred around the Young Black British experience.

Up first for plays is South Londoner Corey Bovell’s 32 Peak Street. The fast-paced, witty comedy follows a millennial couple as they navigate the chaos of becoming homeowners. 

Balancing a crumbling business, a cramped flat, and the impending responsibilities of parenthood, they face the challenge of letting go of the past to build a brighter future for their family.

Other plays featured throughout the season include The Immortal Henrietta Lacks commissioned by Gyenyame for Performing Arts,  None of The Clocks Work by Southwark’s Bridge the Gap Studios, Alison Ray’s Unknown Soldier and Cleopatra’s Antony, directed by Mo Korede.

Chief executive of Theatre Peckham, Suzann McLean MBE, said: “This season is a celebration of the creators and performers who are amplifying the stories of our community. Their voices are essential, and we are committed to providing a platform for their brilliance.”

Pictured top: Theatre Peckham Young, Gifted and Black poster (Picture: Theatre Peckham)