Birmingham Rep and Talawa to co-produce shows celebrating black talent

Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Talawa have revealed plans for a co-producing partnership to create "artistically ambitious" new shows that aim to celebrate “great Black British talent”.

The partnership will begin with a season of black-led work next year.

Black Joy will be the two organisations’ first collaboration, and will comprise a programme of work by black creatives and artists, performed across the Rep’s three stages in 2021.

The partnership will include a musical production for the Birmingham theatre’s main house, as well as two newly commissioned plays for its studio and smallest space.

In addition to the produced work, Talawa and Birmingham Rep will offer six seed commissions, for theatremakers of all disciplines, as well as training and work opportunities in backstage and technical.

The two companies said that by commissioning the season, they hoped to take "a leading role nationally in foregrounding the work of black people in the arts".

Birmingham Rep’s artistic director Sean Foley described the co-producing relationship as "a major part" of the theatre’s commitment to representing the diversity of the city on and off stage.

Meanwhile, Michael Buffong, Talawa’s artistic director, added: "As a black theatre company, now more than ever, we are determined and proud to be celebrating and shining a spotlight on great Black British talent, on and off stage, as well as ensuring that Black talents and creativity are at the heart of building back better. I’m so excited to be working in partnership with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, a brilliant theatre at the heart of a truly diverse city."

Earlier this year, Birmingham Rep also formed a creative partnership with Birmingham Royal Ballet. The two organisations will work together on new dance works, including a ballet inspired by social distancing.