Black on stage: Celebrating Black contributions to theatre

From Oh Mary! to Hadestown, see some of the best theatre performances by Black actors this Black History Month

Elphaba Thropp grew up green, and with her distinct appearance, she experienced prejudice and discrimination that followed her throughout her life. But with that hardship came a deep empathy for others who were also marginalised under the Wizard’s corrupt regime. And by the end of Wicked, Elphaba overcomes the prejudiced and sexist language that labelled her “The Wicked Witch of the West”. Elphaba Thropp’s story is not unfamiliar to women of colour, particularly Black women, whose bodies, hair and general being are often politicised and weaponised against them. Yet it wasn’t until 2024 that both on stage and screen, Elphaba was played by Black women – Cynthia Erivo in Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: Part 1 and Alexia Khadime on the West End.

It was Khadime’s second time playing the role, the first time being in 2008, when the actor received a lot of hateful and racist rhetoric. In a 2020 interview with Marie Claire, Khadime expressed how “a lot of racism came with [the role] because I was a Black girl playing the role that was predominantly played by a white girl”. Somehow, a fictional green witch was not a role that Black people were allowed to play, despite the similarities in stories. Although Alexia Khadime is a trained theatrical performer with plenty of West End experience, including a stint as Nala in Disney’s The Lion King, people attributed her casting to the political climate. “At the time I played Elphaba, Obama was president. Then the comments were ‘Just because we’ve got a Black president doesn’t mean we have to have a Black Elphaba'” (2020).

In 2024, actor Francesca Amewudah-Rivers was cast as Juliet opposite Tom Holland’s Romeo in the Sam Gold-directed production of Romeo + Juliet. Her casting was met with extreme vitriol – with a barrage of racial abuse online from her casting announcement through to the final day of the show – despite her performance earning rave reviews and an Ian Charleson Award. But Black people’s contribution to theatre goes beyond the prejudice and exclusion faced by the countless talented performers, writers and directors in the industry.

In the late 19th century, one of the most prominent Shakespearean actors was Ira Aldridge. Born in New York City, Aldridge migrated to the UK in the 1820s after finding early success as an actor with the African Grove theatre troupe. African Grove was founded in 1816 by William Alexander Brown (a free Black man who was a playwright and producer) with the aim of putting on productions played by entirely Black casts, and catering to the community of free Black people living in New York at the time. Aldridge went on to debut with the Royal Coburg Theatre (now known as The Old Vic), before going on to perform at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle and Coventry – eventually being promoted to managing the Coventry Theatre Royal. He was the first Black actor to play principal characters in Shakespeare plays – mainly Othello. Although Othello is a canonically Black character, Aldridge’s casting was met with racist backlash. Not very different to what many Black actors face today.

But as we make our way through Black History Month, let us make room to celebrate Aldridge’s legacy, and the legacies of the actors who’ve proceeded him. This Black History Month, take the time to go to the theatre and be part of the audiences who support and uplift theatrical performances by actors of all backgrounds. Challenge yourself when you question why a Black performer can’t take on a certain role; ask yourself why you don’t believe that they are just as qualified to tell human stories. After all, Black history is human history. And we should all be able to face and confront that. Start by seeing these productions.

The Plays

Oh Mary!

Booking until 5 Dec

An 80-minute one act play riddled with dark humour, Oh Mary! follows the often forgotten life of former US First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Exploring her experiences of alcoholism and suppressed desires in the weeks leading up to to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, this Cole Escola play has become one of the West End’s most sought-after shows. See Lolly Adefope star as Mary Todd Lincoln from 28 September – 5 December, as well as Syrus Lowe playing the role of Mary’s Husband.

Theatre in Concert

Leslie Odom, Jr.

25 Oct – 4 Nov 2026

A Broadway and West End veteran, Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer Leslie Odom, Jr. is bringing all of his iconic roles to one stage. This concert will span his own original music, alongside musical theatre classics, selections from the American Songbook, and more. See one of contemporary theatre’s leading Black mainstays live, this Black History Month.

Layton Williams: Live

23 Feb 2027 – 4 Apr 2027

Tony nominee and Olivier Award-winner Layton Williams is taking his theatrical pedigree on a UK tour in early 2027. Known for his roles in Billy Elliot, Titanique, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and more, Layton Williams: Live will show off Layton’s dazzling stage presence and powerful vocals. And, yes, the tour is taking place after Black History Month, but Black performers’ contributions to theatre shouldn’t be limited to this month alone.

The Musicals

Hadestown

Booking through to 2027

A contemporary retelling of the Greek myth about Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus travels to the underworld to rescue his beloved fiancée from Hades. Hadestown is a future classic, having originally debuted in Barre, Vermont in 2006 before undergoing redevelopment and recomposition for years, ultimately debuting on Broadway in 2019. Its musical style blends New Orleans-inspired jazz with contemporary rock, indie folk and blues music. Boasting a diverse cast, you can see Malinda Parris as Hermes, Fayth Ifil as Eurydice and Lauran Rae as Fate, alongside fellow talented performers in Hadestown this Black History Month.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Booking until 28 Mar

A West End favourite, Moulin Rouge! The Musical breathes a new life into Baz Luhrmann’s cult classic, as the story comes to the stage with an entirely new soundtrack and book. Experience the glitz, glamour and splendour of Moulin Rouge; a world where aristocrats and bohemians come together to tell a story like no other. You can see Karis Anderson as Satine, Richard Lloyd King as Toulouse-Lautrec, Hannah Jay-Allan as Arabia, all alongside their fellow talented cast members in Moulin Rouge! The Musical this Black History Month.

From The Heart

8 October – 18 October 2026

Held at the Garrick Theatre, Don Black’s From The Heart is a celebration of the New York City cabaret scene. This iteration is the production’s biggest one yet, with performances of Don Black’s biggest hits – ‘Born Free’, ‘To Sir With Love’, ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ and more – as well as brand-new songs written by Natasha Bedingfield, Debbie Wiseman and Mike Batt. See Oliver Award-winner Clive Rowe (Hadestown) in the principal cast, alongside more award-winning performers.

One Day The Musical

17 November – 14 March 2027

Based on the bestselling 2009 novel, One Day The Musical follows Emma and Dexter’s journey of love, heartbreak, and the peaks and valleys of life. See the life-affirming production this winter, starring Sharon Rose as Emma.

A Christmas Carol

10 Nov 2026 – 9 Jan 2027

Starring the incomparable Giles Terera as Ebenezer Scrooge, Matthew Warchus’ production of A Christmas Carol returns to The Old Vic this festive season. Directed by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, His Dark Materials), this reimagined classic is sure to be the highlight of your holiday period, and a great way to celebrate Giles Terera’s contributions to British theatre.