• At CPT we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for all artists, audience members and other visitors to our space. We welcome customers and artists with disabilities and are pleased to assist you in your visit. 

    If you have any questions or enquiries, please do get in touch by phone at 020 7419 4841 or email at foh@cptheatre.co.uk.

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  • Why a Black Woman Will Never Be Prime Minister

    Tue 22 Oct - Sat 9 Nov 7pm (+ 3pm Matinee on 9 Nov)
    Tickets £8 - £15 (+ booking fee) for most performances. Tickets from £5 on Sat 9 Nov 3pm.
    ARCHIVE
    Parties, Trimesters and Labour - a lot can happen in nine months.
    Content Notice
    Running Time 70 mins
    Wheelchair Accessible
    Wheelchair Accessible
    Captioned Performance
    Captioned PerformanceSat 2 Nov, Wed 6 Nov, and the 3pm matinee on Sat 9 Nov
    Relaxed Performance
    Relaxed PerformanceWed 6 Nov
    BSL Performance
    BSL Performance Thu 31 Oct. Interpreted by Hyacinth Powell.
    Assistance dogs welcome
    Assistance dogs welcome
    Touch Tour
    Touch TourThu 7 Nov at 6pm
    Content Notice
    Content NoticeContains sensitive themes such as racial trauma, references to maternal health and mortality, strong language, dark satire and gender inequality. These topics are explored deeply and poetically. They may be distressing for some audiences. Viewer discretion is advised. Suitable for ages 14+
    Health Notice
    Health NoticePotential sensory triggers like loud noises and flashing lights.

    “This play is intended for two performers but can be performed solo or with a massive ensemble. In other words, f**k the rules and do what you want. The only thing I do request is that the Black woman is played by a Black woman. This is not open for interpretation. Safe.”

    Set over nine months, this piece delves into intersectionality, British politics, and Black women's maternal health. Fusing satire, spoken word, and narrative, Zakiyyah Deen’s debut play directly addresses the real reasons: Why A Black Woman Never Be Prime Minister.

    This show was conceived out of frustration with the lack of attention toward Black women’s maternal health and the increasing f**keries in politics. Zakiyyah extends a special thanks to all workshop participants and all Black mums for provocations, inspirations and conversations. Especially her own mum - without you this wouldn't be possible.

    Watch the trailer.

    Additional features & events

    Extant post-Enhance: Visual impairment accessible performance | Thu 7 Nov

    We invite visually impaired audiences to come along and experience programme notes and touch tour at 6pm before the show. Click here to find out more about this accessible performance. Places on the touch tour are limited so please reserve your spot by booking a free ticket to the 6pm 'Touch Tour Only' event alongside your Why A Black Woman ticket.

    Visually impaired audiences get £7.50 tickets (half price)! Just book an access ticket to the show using the discount code TOUCHTOUR at the checkout.

    ‘Very descriptive and it allowed me to create a visual picture in my head.’ - Touch Tour Attendee

    Babes In Arms peformance | Sat 9 Nov at 3pm

    Join us for a Babes in Arms performance, where parents are welcome to bring babies two and under in a relaxed performance setting. A breakout space will be available for parents.

    Pay What You Can performance | Sat 9 Nov at 3pm

    Pay-what-you-can ticket holders, please note there will be little ones present as this performance is also a Babes In Arms show (See above). Thank you!

    Credits:

    • Cast: Zakiyyah Deen as Shanice Laybá; Ryan Whittle as John Gainsborough
    • Voices: Reda Elazouar voices Rafiq; Gurkiran Kaur voices GP Nurse and News Reporter; Kelechi Okafor voices Auntie and John’s Wife

     

    • Written by Zakiyyah Deen 
    • Directed by Kelechi Okafor
    • Associate Director: Xanthus 
    • Designer: Hazel Low
    • Drama Therapist: Nina Mdwaba
    • Dramaturg: Ellie Fulcher
    • Dramaturgical support: Isley Lynn and Kelechi Okafor
    • Lighting Designer: Jahmiko Marshall
    • Movement Director: Danny Bailey
    • Sound Designer: Khalil Madovi
    • Stage Manager: Danielle Adéyínká-Uche
    • Produced by Sam Edmunds 
    • Associate Producers: Reda Elazouar and Jasmyn Fisher-Ryner
    • Creative Consultant: Lehni Lamide Davies
    • Marketing and PR: Mobius Industries 
    • Social Media Manager: Hannah Ali
    • R&D Director: Kirk-Ann Roberts 
    • R&D Actor and Devisor: Tim Delap

     

    A co-production by Zakiyyah Deen and Camden People’s Theatre supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England. Acknowledgements to seed commissions and original developments with Theatre Deli, Tara Theatre and The Squint Playwriting Award 2023.

    "A sharp, hilarious, and thought-provoking exploration of race, gender, and power in modern Britain"
    London Born And Bred
    "A necessary watch."
    Rachel Reviewed
    "I’d swap a hefty amount of our current West End programme to give Why a Black Woman Will Never Be Prime Minister a stage on Shaftesbury Avenue"
    Broadway World

    “It means so much to be working at CPT, it’s such a good opportunity to work in a professional environment at my age. I didn’t think that was ever going to happen and it means the world to me. It’s really going to help prepare me for my future and where I want to go”

    CYT participant and Camden student