Innovative - Electrifying - Unapologetic

Talawa Firsts is the stage for fresh Black creative voices. Talawa Firsts will present new work by some of the most exciting British writers this July.

Sign up to watch the Livestream - Minimum donation £1 (If you can give us more, that would help as we are paying all creatives involved).

Thursday 8 July – Double Bill

Terror Management Theory by William Nyerere Plastow

Terror Management Theory traces the cracks that show in the marriage of businesswoman Violet and ex-soldier Chris when Violet’s abusive ex-boyfriend Kwame comes to dinner, bringing an unexpected guest.

The Smiley Show by Natasha Marshall

The Smiley Show is based on a true story.

Mr & Mrs Smiley are HAPPY.

What makes them extra HAPPY is their perfect daughter, Lucky.

Except there’s this clown that keeps appearing and talking to Lucky, telling her twisted fairy tales - leading her to believe things aren’t what they seem ...

Thursday 15 July – Double Bill

14% by Keisha Thompson

The spiralling double narrative in 14% follows two protagonists, Nadia and Tony.

As they attempt to quantify their Britishness, we are drawn into their tense and claustrophobic journey set within the confines of a train carriage.

Who holds the power, and who does the work?

Work This Pussy by Juliana Ayeni-Stevens

Meet Katherine aka Kitz, she’s 100% real … well that’s what she thinks! Kitz is a Black British Nigerian who’s proud to be from Essex and isn’t afraid to talk candidly about her sexuality, her childhood, her culture and her faith.

After years of suppressing her sexual identity, she's on a path to tackle those cultural, social and religious conditions to finally face who she really is. But how real is her life?

Live Stream

You will receive via email a direct link to stream the performances on the day.