Black Plays at the Royal Court

The 1960s: Voices of Change

The 1960s marked a period of significant social and political change in Britain, reflected in the Royal Court’s increasingly diverse programming. Against the backdrop of African independence movements and the civil rights struggle in the United States, the theatre became a platform for groundbreaking Black voices.

Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel (1966) brought Nigerian storytelling and a sharp critique of colonialism to London audiences. This production coincided with the Commonwealth Immigrants Act of 1962, which began to restrict immigration from former colonies, highlighting the complex relationship between Britain and its former empire.

Barry Reckord continued to make his mark with You in Your Small Corner (1962), exploring interracial relationships and class divisions in London. The play’s frank depiction of sexuality and race relations pushed boundaries and reflected the changing social mores of the “swinging sixties”.

The decade closed with a significant milestone: Adrienne Kennedy became the first Black woman to have her work staged at the Royal Court. Her 1968 double-bill of Lesson in a Dead Language and Funnyhouse of a Negro introduced London audiences to a surrealist exploration of Black identity and psychological trauma. Kennedy’s innovative approach to form and content challenged theatrical conventions and paved the way for more experimental Black drama.