Yvonne Brewster: the visionary who built stages for us all
Tributes have been paid to the co-founder of Talawa, Britain’s longest-running Black theatre company
Tributes have been paid to Jamaican-British actress, director and cultural pioneer Ms Yvonne Brewster OBE, who died last week at the age of 87 - just days after celebrating her birthday.
Figures across the world have described Ms Yvonne as a trailblazer whose vision transformed the stage and whose influence shaped generations of artists.
“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,” a National Theatre spokesperson said of Ms Yvonne, who founded the renowned Talawa Theatre Company.
“Yvonne Brewster was a walking definition of a Jamaican. Talawah indeed,” social development specialist Carol Narcisse said.
“Her impact in and out of theatre circles is at once inspiring and humbling.”
Talawa, now led by Michael Buffong, posted via X/Twitter: “Celebrating Yvonne Brewster OBE: 1938–2025. We’re incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of the incomparable founder of Talawa, Yvonne Brewster. A visionary leader and trailblazer for so many.”
Cultural strategist Dr Deborah Hickling Gordon added: “Yvonne Brewster - the story of Jamaican theatre cannot be written without you. You knew the importance of a theatrical ‘home’. We now call them ‘venues’.”
In Jamaica, opposition spokesperson for culture Nekeisha Burchell called her “one of the builders of modern Jamaican theatre and a bridge between our island and the wider world,” adding that “she helped prove that Jamaican stories, told in our language and from our perspective, belong on every stage.”
Television Jamaica wrote on X/Twitter: “Yvonne Brewster’s extraordinary life and work helped shape the direction of Jamaican and Caribbean theatre.”
Yet, despite such tributes, news of Ms Yvonne’s death has received scant attention in mainstream media - a silence that speaks to the very inequalities she spent her life challenging.
Breaking barriers
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1938, Ms Yvonne came from an upper-middle-class family but carved her own path through the arts.
In 1956, she reportedly became one of the first Black women to study drama in the UK, graduating from the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama.
After facing limited acting opportunities, she turned to directing - a decision that would reshape both Caribbean and British theatre.
In 1965, determined to put her training to use, Ms Yvonne returned to Jamaica and founded The Barn Theatre Company (originally Theatre 77).
Bringing together talents such as Trevor Rhone and Leonie Forbes, the company staged original works rooted in Black experience and community life. As she often recalled, “The Barn was always sold out.”
During the early 1970s, she moved back to Britain permanently, launching her professional directing career and experimenting with filmmaking.
In 1983, she co-founded Carib Theatre, a touring company that gave young Black performers a platform to tell their stories across the UK.
Two years later in 1985, Ms Yvonne joined forces with Mona Hammond, Inigo Espejel and Carmen Munroe to establish Talawa Theatre Company.
She served as its Artistic Director from 1986 to 2001, guiding it through a period of immense growth and innovation.
Under her leadership, Talawa became a vital creative institution - producing landmark productions and nurturing generations of Black British actors, writers and directors.
Actress Diane Parish, who currently stars in the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders, also paid tribute to Ms Yvonne.
“Only one word to describe this woman: Trailblazer,” she said.
“Yvonne Brewster kicked down doors, set stages alight and created countless opportunities for Black and brown actors in the UK.
“From The Black Jacobins, starring the late Norman Beaton, to King Lear - which I was in alongside many great actors and lifelong friends - Yvonne created magic, launched careers and blessed us with her fiery determination and energy”.
Ms Yvonne’s contributions to British theatre were further recognised in 1993, when she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
In 2001, Ms Yvonne received the Living Legend Award from the US National Black Theatre Festival and later, an honorary doctorate from the Open University for her service to the arts.
Her creative reach extended far beyond the Caribbean and Britain.
The actress directed productions across Europe and the United States and appeared on British television in Doctors and EastEnders, bringing warmth and nuance to screens often devoid of Caribbean presence.
🙏🏾🕯️🖤🕊️💐 Rest well Queen.
A beautiful tribute Nadine 💜