Theatre News

New artisitc director appointed at Tiata Fahodzi

The leading British African theatre company welcomes Natalie Ibu as artistic director

Natalie Ibu
Natalie Ibu
© Robert Day

It's been announced that Natalie Ibu will be the new artistic director of Tiata Fahodzi.

Tiata Fahodzi, translated as Theatre of the Emancipated, was founded in 1997 by Femi Elufowoju Jr and Ekua Ekumah. The company specialises in work centring on the living experiences of Africans in Britain.

Previous credits include The Legend of Hamba, Bola Agbaje’s Belong, an all-female version of Joe Penhall’s Blue/Orange, and Oladipo Agboluaje’s Iya-Ile, which was co-nominated for an Olivier Award at the Soho Theatre.

Natalie Ibu is a freelance director, producer and dramaturg. She is currently creative producer for In Good Company, a producer for Openworks Theatre, and was also the programme manager at the Roundhouse this past year.

Ibu joins the theatre company as it enters a collaboration with Watford Palace Theatre, which will give Tiata Fahodzi a creative home for the first time.

She commented on her position, which commences next month: "It will be an honour to lead this spirited and inspirational company into the future."