The Black Jacobins
by
C.L.R James
Riverside Studios
The Black Jacobins is a dramatization of the revolution of 1791-1804 that led to the liberation of Saint Domingue (now Haiti) from French colonial rule. Trinidadian historian and activist C.L.R James wrote his first play on the topic, Toussaint L’Ouverture, named for the leader of the revolution, in 1936 and then produced a history of the revolution in 1938. In the 1960s he updated the history and the play, and it was this version Talawa Theatre company used for their revival staged in 1986.
The true story of a Black-organised and Black-led successful and sustained revolt against slavery and colonialism and the price exacted by the European powers as a result was a powerful statement about Black achievement for the newly formed theatre company Talawa. In conversation with Daryll Cumber Dance, James explained that motivation for writing the play came from observing that:
There weren’t any plays that said black people had created any distinct events of the time.
By 1986, this was still a general perception, despite the pioneering work of many Black theatre companies. The play fulfilled Talawa’s ambition to demonstrate Black excellence and ambition at scale. There were more than 20 people in the cast, the majority Black. Established stars Norman Beaton and Mona Hammond (also one of Talawa's co-founders) played Toussaint L’Ouverture and Marie Jeanne and were supported by actors such as Brian Bovell, Jenny Jules, Trevor Laird and Gary McDonald who would go on to leading roles at the National, Royal Court and Tricycle theatres in years to come. It was directed by Yvonne Brewster, the company's artistic director and a pivotal figure in Black British theatre.
The play was well received by critics and Talawa became, and has remained, an important company developing, producing and advocating for Black theatre in the UK.
About the writer
C.L.R James was born in Trinidad in 1901, won a scholarship to the Queen’s Royal College and became a school teacher. He travelled to England at the invitation of cricketer and lawyer Learie Constantine, who wanted help writing his autobiography. James remained in England and continued to write, to campaign for independence for the West Indies and became an advocate of Pan-Africanism.
Resources
Talawa’s article on the play
Making the Black Jacobins by Rachel Douglas - an in-depth account of the many versions of the play and its reception. Free access to the Introduction here
Talawa Theatre Company: A Theatrical History of the Brewster Era by David Vivian Johnson has a detailed analysis of the play and its 1986 production.
Credits:
copyright and credits: text by Kate Dorney, images from Stages of Half Moon website. Citation: Kate Dorney 2025 'The Black Jacobins ', Black Theatre History Month project