A Quick Ting on Theatre Sh*t: Reimagining Black British Theatre

Storytelling and performance have been at the centre of Black traditions for as long as Black existence.

From griots and underground raves to protests and defiant speeches, Black performance translates across time, space and memory. In the UK, a growing current of contemporary Black British theatre takes shape as a powerful hub of imagination and creativity, inspiring Tobi Kyeremateng to ask: What is theatre in the context of Black expression?

In this unique and thorough assessment, Kyeremateng captures the gripping dynamics of Black expression through contemporary Black British theatre culture - from Yard Plays, cultural activism and Cabaret, all the way to Notting Hill Carnival, Grime, raves, and friends telling stories at the back of the top deck of a bus.

Combining elements of history, personal anecdotes and interviews, alongside layers of poetry and photography, A Quick Ting On: Theatre Sh*t explores the modern age of Black British theatre, dissecting and recontextualising what we know it to be.

Tobi is a cultural producer specialising in live performance, events, festivals and film, creating experiences around socio-political activism, community engagement, public spaces and artistic collaboration, with a focus on audience engagement and inclusion. She has worked with organisations including Ovalhouse Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, Apples and Snakes, tiata fahodzi, Tamasha Theatre and more. In 2017, she was accepted onto the Old Vic 12 programme where she produced Joe White’s play Pagans, and she was also part of the Runner Up team for the JMK 2017 Award with debbie tucker green’s random, directed by Nathan Crossan- Smith.

In 2017, she became Executive Producer (UP NEXT) at Bush Theatre, responsible for
conceptualising and delivering BABYLON Festival, a week-long celebration of Black and Brown peoples’ influences on London culture. She also founded Black Ticket Project in the same year, an initiative collaborating with venues and organisations to distribute over 1500 free and discounted tickets to Black young people to improve accessibility.

Tobi placed #99 on The Stage 100’s 2019 list of ’The most influential people in theatre and the performing arts industry’, has been nominated as part of The Dots’ ’100 Changemakers’ and won the Stylist Magazine’s ’Remarkable Woman Award 2019’.