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After more than five successful years at the helm of Talawa Theatre Company, Patricia Cumper is stepping down as Artistic Director in early 2012 at the end of the current season of work marking Talawa’s 25th anniversary.
"I’ve had a wonderful time at Talawa and handing over the company as it begins its journey as an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation feels absolutely right,” said Pat Cumper. “The company’s dynamic staff and strong partnerships mean that it is well placed to bring quality Black British work to national audiences, to support the development of new and established theatre makers and to continue to change lives with its popular participation work. I look forward to watching it go from strength to strength.”
“Pat has been an invaluable and brilliant leader in nurturing and growing Talawa, while bringing her talents to bear in the wider theatre sector,” said Benjamin Yeoh, chairman of Talawa, “I’d like to thank Pat for her years of tireless service to Talawa and wish her the best for the future.”
During its anniversary year, Talawa will present an eclectic season that celebrates Black talent. Upcoming highlights include a brand new production conceived by the aspiring participants of Talawa Young People's Theatre (TYPT), Talawa’s annual summer school. Taking inspiration from This is England 1986-2011, the TYPT cast will perform a devised piece at the Lilian Baylis Theatre from 25 – 27 August. In October, Talawa will remount the biting political satire The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe directed by Don Warrington at The Old Lecture Theatre in the V&A. The 25th anniversary season will culminate in February 2012, with a new production of Waiting For Godot featuring an all Black cast, in association with West Yorkshire Playhouse and directed by Ian Brown.
The position of Artistic Director will be formally advertised from 4th July, and the new Artistic Director will be announced in October 2011.
Talawa was founded in 1986 by Yvonne Brewster, Carmen Munroe, Mona Hammond and Inigo Espejel to counter the lack of creative opportunities for actors from minority ethnic backgrounds and the general marginalisation of Black people from culture at large. Since then it has played a pivotal role in readdressing the balance and supporting the development of Black theatre. Over the past 25 years, Talawa has presented more than forty stage productions ranging from African classics, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, new Black British work, plays from Nobel-prize winning playwrights and high-voltage musicals – as well as nurturing talent in all areas of British theatre, including actors, writers, directors and personnel
Press contact: James Lever for Target Live: James.Lever@target-live.co.uk / 020 3372 0956
For more information on Talawa, please visit: http://www.talawa.com
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