We were saddened to learn of the passing of Yvonne Brewster OBE, legendary impresario of Black British theatre, who died on 12 October 2025 aged eighty-seven.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Yvonne was educated in St Ann’s before coming to the UK in the 1950s to study drama and speech at Rose Bruford College, and dance and mime at the Royal Academy of Music. During an illustrious career spanning over four decades as an actor, director, producer, arts administrator and writer, the Jamaican thespian made a huge contribution to British theatre. She was known for directing classic Shakespearian, Caribbean and African drama with all-black and Asian actors. Her productions include Trevor Rhone’s Two Can Play, CLR James’ The Black Jacobins, Antony and Cleopatra, King Lear, Derek Walcott’s O Babylon and Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame. Yvonne co-founded the Barn Theatre in Jamaica in 1964 and Talawa in the UK in 1986. She also worked in film and television.
GPI Trustee Linton Kwesi Johnson adds:
‘When I was a young aspiring poet, Yvonne Brewster was one of those people who encouraged me. I met her through Andrew Salkey and she curated one of my early recitals at the Commonwealth Institute. May she rest in peace.’
Yvonne is survived by her husband, Starr, adopted son, Julian, and sister Valerie.
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