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KS3 KS4 KS5

Online exhibition: Black Plays at the National Theatre

Drama Performing Arts
A person with a shaved head and goatee looks thoughtfully to the side. They are wearing a dark hoodie. Another person, out of focus, stands in the background, wearing a striped shirt.

Overview

Explore the story of how black writers and directors have used theatre to explore issues at the heart of society, establishing themselves as a vital part of the National Theatre’s repertoire.

Explore the online exhibition

Two people sit next to each other cross-legged. One holds a can up to their ear while the other leans in to them,
Production shot from The Island (2000). Photography by Ruphin Coudyzer.

Keywords

Athol Fugard, Errol John, John Kani, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Mustapha Matura, Winston Ntshona, Winsome Pinnock, Wole Soyinka, Roy Williams

Browse our digital exhibitions, created in partnership with Google Arts & Culture

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Header image: Paterson Joseph in Elmina’s Kitchen, 2003 © Ivan Kyncl

A classroom of pupils watching the NT Collection on a screen.

National Theatre Collection

Watch selected shows on National Theatre Collection – the best of British Theatre, streaming direct into your classroom.
Free for all UK state schools (primary and secondary) and FE colleges.

National Theatre Collection
A picture of the Archive research room, people sifting through archive material and others sat at a computer with headphones

Archive

Our Archive holds a treasure trove of performance material, including recordings and photographs of our productions.
Free to visit and open to everyone by appointment. School groups are welcome.

Archive
The writer Winsome Pinnock during rehearsals for her play, Leave Taking, in 1995 - holding a hot drink whilst someone points a pencil at a script

The Black Plays Archive

An online catalogue of the first professional production in the UK of plays written by Black British, African, and Caribbean playwrights. Explore our specially written resources for teachers and educators.

 

The Black Plays Archive

More to explore

Online exhibition: Black Plays at the National Theatre
KS3 KS4 KS5
A person with a shaved head and goatee looks thoughtfully to the side. They are wearing a dark hoodie. Another person, out of focus, stands in the background, wearing a striped shirt.

Online exhibition: Black Plays at the National Theatre

Drama Performing Arts
Creative Commentaries: Rufus Norris on Small Island
KS3 KS4 KS5
On a large stage, a woman in a white dress relaxes on a bench, to the right behind her, another woman in a colourful dress watches on, behind them a line of figures stand at the back of the stage with silhouettes suggesting a crowd projected onto the back wall.

Creative Commentaries: Rufus Norris on Small Island

Directing Drama English Performing Arts
Lit in Colour Q&A: Inua Ellams on Barber Shop Chronicles
KS4 KS5
On a warmly lit stage, a man sits in an office chair smiling and touching his head, in front of him there are various barber shop accessories on a cabinet, and another man standing contorting his face.

Lit in Colour Q&A: Inua Ellams on Barber Shop Chronicles

Drama English Performing Arts Playwriting
The Great Wave rehearsal diaries
KS4 KS5

The Great Wave rehearsal diaries

Directing Drama English Performance skills Performing Arts Playwriting
The Free9: The Characters of The Free9 - education resource
KS4 KS5
A green and red artwork featuring a CCTV camera merged with the legs of a human body and the words 'The Free9 by In-Sook Chappell' in white text

The Free9: The Characters of The Free9 - education resource

Directing Drama Performance skills Performing Arts
The Free9: The World of The Free9 - education resource
KS4 KS5
A green and red artwork featuring a CCTV camera merged with the legs of a human body and the words 'The Free9 by In-Sook Chappell' in white text

The Free9: The World of The Free9 - education resource

Costume, wigs, hair and make-up Directing Drama Performing Arts Playwriting Set design