Multiple and stunning revelations of the Black performers and productions that have graced the stages of London's West End theatres

Explore the hidden history of African presence in the West End's theatre district. With a recent explosion of Black productions since the events of 2020, we investigate and expose how far back the African/Caribbean presence on stage goes, who the performers were, where they appeared, audience reception and the racial climate at the time. This walk features:

Black magicians, escape artists and hypnotists

Famous actors and their roles (much more than just Paul Robeson)

Black women and sell out shows

Comedians and Tragedians and their amazing real life stories

Enslaved people and plays on the West End stage

US Civil Rights connections, Pearl, Edric, Harry

Black British Civil Rights Activists and the acting colour bar

The 'Beyonce' of the 1950s who owned her own castle

Racist tropes, stereotypes and how they were overcome

Current Black productions you can check out

Watch out for Black History Walks new book 'Black History Walks in London, Volume 1' published by Jacaranda Books. This was part of Jacaranda's revolutionary Twenty in 2020 initiative to publish 20 books by 20 Black British authors in 2020. An unprecedented feat HERE. (https://jacarandabooks.co.uk/collections/non-fiction/products/black-history-walks-1)

Other coming events from www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk

Black History Bus Tour

Graphic novels, Black history, publishing and movies

Hackney, Harlem, St Paul’/Bank, Theatreland and Soho Black History Walks

African Odysseys, Racism in Academia and @BFI Southbank

The Story of the CFA (West African Franc)

60 years of Black British Civil Rights, racism @BFI with Professor Gus John

Windrush International Caribbean Film Festival

How Black People Won World War 2

Sign petition to save 17 years of Black film history at BFI Southbank HERE (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-europe-demonises-african-spiritual-practices-tickets-1504158060249?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=1*1qqbe4q*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTU2Mzg0NjIyMC4xNzU0ODQ5NjQ2*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NTQ4NDk2NDYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTQ4NDk2NDYkajYwJGwwJGgw)

About African Odysseys

The volunteer-run, African Odysseys film programme screened monthly, popular, anti-racist, Black history films with Q&A’s for 20 years at the BFI. It regularly filled the Southbank 450 seater at 2pm on Saturdays when cinemas are typically ‘dead’.The British Film Institute ignored a 19,000 strong petition to keep it HERE (https://www.change.org/p/save-17-years-of-black-film-history-at-british-film-institute?recruiter=1352234396&recruited_by_id=9664f560-7bc4-11ef-8258-bfe60cea7920&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_medium=copylink).Refused to answer 8 simple questions. Then cancelled the programme so they could ‘cut costs and promote diversity’ HERE (https://www.change.org/p/save-17-years-of-black-film-history-at-british-film-institute/u/33273355)

Other coming events ww.blackhistorywalks.co.uk HERE (https://blackhistorywalks.co.uk/)

Description supplied by the event organiser.