A tribute to the Trailblazing theatre director, actress, and cultural visionary Yvonne Brewster who transformed British and Caribbean stages. Voices from the creative industry celebrate her contributions and long lasting legacy.
Yvonne Brewster OBE, the Jamaican-born actress, director, writer and co-founder of Talawa Theatre Company in the UK and The Barn Theatre in Jamaica, has passed away at the age of 87.
A pioneering force in theatre and television, Brewster dedicated her life to expanding representation for Black artists and reshaping the stories told on stage.
Sutara Gayle Singer Actress and Playwright said..
“I first met Yvonne Brewster in 2004, when Talawa Theatre co-produced Blest Be the Tie. We met during the first play reading. I was cast as a 69-year-old Jamaican woman, and I vividly remember Yvonne saying to me, “You have big boots to fill — do you feel you can fill them?” To be honest, I was shaking in my boots, deeply humbled in her presence, and could only reply, meekly, “Yes, I think I can.”
From that moment, Yvonne made a lasting impression on me. Her strength, vision, and artistry have truly been inspiring. It was both refreshing and empowering to see this bold, beautiful Jamaican woman lead with such confidence and creative authority. Yvonne Brewster was a force to be reckoned with, and she will be profoundly missed.”
The National Theatre said.
“We’re incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Yvonne Brewster. She directed our 1991 production of ‘Blood Wedding’ in the Cottesloe theatre (now Dorfman).She was an amazing force that broke barriers and glass-ceilings. She opened the door to many artists who would not be here without her.”
Born on 7 October 1938 in Kingston, Jamaica, Yvonne Brewster’s love of performance began early. She left Jamaica in the 1950s to study at Rose Bruford College, where she became the first Black student to be accepted into the institution.
Dawn Hope actor (Hollyoaks) stated. “Yvonne Brewster shone her light and showed us where the path of excellence was”
Yvonne Brewster was more than a trailblazer. She was our queen mother. She led by doing. Challenged the statusquo by creating. by building a company that would feed multiple generations in every possible dimension. Her transition to the sphere of the ancestors will be blessed because she left our world in a buyer place than she found it
Trish Cooke Children’s Author and Playwright said.
“Yvonne’s legacy continues to open doors for black creatives including myself. We will always appreciate her unquestionable strength and determination to illuminate our voices. RIP Yvonne Brewster”
She later trained at the Royal Academy of Music, refining a talent that would see her perform, direct and inspire across decades and continents.
Returning to Jamaica in the 1960s, she co-founded The Barn Theatre, the country’s first professional theatre company, alongside Trevor Rhone. The Barn quickly became a cultural landmark — a home for new Jamaican writing and a crucible for national identity through the arts.
Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE British actor, playwright, director and broadcaster stated.
“Yvonne Brewster was more than a trailblazer. She was our queen mother. She led by doing. Challenging the status quo by creating. by building a company that would feed multiple generations in every possible dimension. Her transition to the sphere of the ancestors will be blessed because she left our world in a better place than she found it”.
The Alfred Fagon Awards stated.
“It is with sadness that we mark the passing of our dear friend, Yvonne Brewster – a co-founder and Trustee of the Alfred Fagon Award. Yvonne was a pioneer, hero and stalwart of British theatre. For many decades she uplifted, championed and supported Black theatre makers to take their place in the industry. We will miss her. In the fullness of time, we will say more about our dear friend and how we plan to celebrate her legacy.
In 1985, she co-founded Talawa Theatre Company in London with playwright Carmen Munroe, Mona Hammond, Inigo Espejel, and Archie Pool. Talawa, meaning “small but mighty” in Jamaican patois, it grew into one of the UK’s most important Black-led theatre companies, staging bold interpretations of the classics and championing Black British voices long excluded from the mainstream.
Anni Domingo, Actor, Author, Director said.
“Yvonne was indeed talawa. She was mighty, a fighter, a visionary, a director who knew what she wanted, A powerhouse that I was honoured to call my friend. Every time I worked with Yvonne, I learned something new. It was such an honour to be cast in her 1991 production of ‘Blood Wedding’ at the National Theatre. Her legacy will continue; she has left her mark. RIP Yvonne Brewster.”
Sophia A. Jackson Founder and Editor of Afridiziak Theatre News @afridiziaktheatrenews stated.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Black British theatre titan, Yvonne Brewster. We thank you for your immense contribution to the theatre landscape, paving the way and leaving the door open for many to follow. Such an incredible legacy. Rest in Eternal Peace.”
Under Brewster’s artistic direction, Talawa produced landmark works such as The Black Jacobins, The Importance of Being Earnest, and An African Cargo, pushing boundaries in casting and storytelling.
Victoria Evaristo Actor, Director/Drama Tutor reflects on first meeting Brewster.
“In 1998 when I was an acting student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I interviewed Yvonne Brewster for my dissertation on Black women in theatre. I was awestruck and nervous at meeting her. She was so welcoming and generous with her time. She was dynamic and inspirational. She told me the meaning of the word Talawa, and boi! Was she!”
Actress Dona Croll played Cleopatra in Talawa Theatre Company’s 1991 production of Antony and Cleopatra, making her the first Black Cleopatra on the British stage said.
” Yvonne refused to be pigeon holed by British racial constrictions and she dug her own furrow. She worked at the Arts Council and, on leaving, knew how to get funding to put food on our tables. I shall be forever indebted to her ingenuity and hard work”,
Her work bridged the Atlantic — always with a deep commitment to Black identity, Caribbean culture, and artistic excellence. Brewster’s direction combined rigor and empathy, and she became a mentor to generations of actors and directors, many of whom credit her with opening the doors they once thought closed.
Roli Okorodudu Actor/ Writer said.
“A true creative trailblazer for me. Her presence and dedication to storytelling was the best. Her contribution and persistence in the arts opened the possibilities to black artist. Truly brilliant. Let’s all continue her legacy.”
Brewster was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993 and received a living legend award from the National Black Theatre Festival in 2001.
She is featured in the archives 100 Great Black Britons, Historical Geographies, The British Blacklist, Unfinished Histories and the National Theatre Black Plays Archive.
Brewster edited two collections of plays published by Oberon Books, Mixed Company: Three Early Jamaican Plays by Sylvia Winter, Louis Marriott, Cecily Waite-Smith and For The Reckord, three plays by Barry Reckord.
Daniel Bailey Director / Writer stated.
“Yvonne was and still is a pioneer in our industry, her spirit lives on in the many artists she mentored and created space for. A true giant whose footsteps are so big we could all walk in them, or at the very least find a creative home. R.I.E.P”
Along with Oscar James and Roland Rees, Brewster created The Alfred Fagon Award to commemorate Alfred’s life and work and to recognise the craft of playwriting by Black British writers.
Judith Jacob Actor Radio Host talked about the wealth of knowledge Brewster shared on her radio show.
“Yvonne Brewster came on my radio when Talawa theatre did Black Jacobeans. It was huge to me. She, Yvonne, felt huge. Her knowledge, her confidence, her owning her Caribbean self. I loved just listening to her talk.“
On screen, she was also widely recognised for her performance as Ruth Harding in the BBC daytime drama Doctors.
Brewster’s theatre credits also included the first all black production of William Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.
Directed by Yvonne Brewster and starring Doña Croll as Cleopatra. It premiered in Liverpool in April 1991 before transferring to the Bloomsbury Theatre in London for a run from May 16 to June 15, 1991.
