Event: An Audience with Dona Croll

July 17, 2025

On 17 July 2025, we were joined at 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning for an evening of conversation with Dona Croll, the Jamaican-born, Birmingham-raised doyenne of theatre, television, film and radio. She was in conversation with veteran actor, director and broadcaster Burt Ceasar, reflecting on an illustrious career spanning half a century and taking us on her remarkable journey from the margins to the centre.

Dona’s television credits include The Bill, Casualty, Desmond’s, Death In Paradise, EastEnders, Gimme Gimme Gimme, Holby City and The Long Song. Her Shakespeare roles include Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra (Talawa Theatre Company), Mrs Quickly in Henry 5th (Royal Shakespeare Company), Emilia in Othello (Greenwich Theatre) and the much-acclaimed character of John of Gaunt (The Globe Theatre). Her film credits include Eastern Promises, Hallelujah Anyhow, Kill Kill Faster Faster, Tula the Revolt and Mr Malcolm’s List. Dona has also featured in many BBC radio productions.

Actor and director Burt Caesar was born in St Kitts. He is a founder member of the Black Theatre Co-operative and a former Associate Director at the Royal Court Theatre. He has written for and presented extensively on BBC Radio. 

Banner image with a headshot photo of Dona Croll in a long sleeve black turtleneck on the left. On the right hand side of the banner reads ‘An Audience with Dona Croll’ at the top, with event details written below. All in black text against a red and white dotted gradient graphic background. 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning (left) and George Padmore Institute (right) logos appear in the bottom right of the banner.

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Organised by the George Padmore Institute and 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning.