The Night Woman by Julene Robinson 19 – 21 Oct 2023

The Barbican

The Night Woman by Julene Robinson
- Image credit: Chadley Larnelle
The Night Woman by Julene Robinson
– Image credit: Chadley Larnelle

A compelling new play about the power of Black womanhood, darkness and the redemptive power of self-love, told through a captivating fusion of dance, singing and live music.

Inspired by the true story of Robinson’s grandmother who was shunned and ostracised to the dark corners of post-colonial Jamaica due to her African spiritual beliefs, The Night Woman acts as a reminder that even though misery and suffering exist in the darkness, it’s also where love is made and resistance is formed. 

Skilfully portraying three different women who’ve found strength in unexpected places, Robinson guides the audience on an exhilarating journey transitioning through time and generations ending in our present day, with Jamaican folk songs and African-Caribbean movement and music taking centre stage.

Julene Robinson (The Witcher, Get Up, Stand Up!) is an award-winning writer and performer. The Night Woman was developed as part of the Barbican Open Lab programme.

NEED TO KNOW: The Night Woman plays at The Barbican from 19-21 Oct | Read our 4 star review of The Night Woman | Running time: 90 minutes, no interval | Age guidance: 16+ (contains references to sex and violence and themes of death and grief). Discover more about Trigger Support in this short video BSL-interpreted performance Sat 21 Oct, 2.30pm | Post-show talk (BSL-interpreted) on Sat 21 Oct, 3.45pm – Facilitated by Mireille C. Harper. BSL-interpreted by Lorna Patterson.