Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Talawa actors explore C.L.R. James’ The Black Jacobins in a workshop reading which reveals Moïse’s powerful argument for independence during the Haitian Revolution.
#TheBlackJacobins #CLRJames #HaitianRevolution #TalawaTheatre
In this second workshop, actors from Talawa Theatre Company explore C.L.R. James’ powerful play The Black Jacobins, which brings the Haitian Revolution and its revolutionary leaders vividly to life.
This play reading focuses on Act 1, Scene 3, where the future of Saint-Domingue hangs in the balance. After a British envoy offers support for a new kingdom and aristocracy under British protection, Christophe, Dessalines and Moïse debate whether this represents a path to security or a betrayal of the revolution’s promise.
At the heart of the scene is Moïse’s passionate argument for complete independence. His rejection of both French and British domination reflects one of C.L.R. James’ central ideas: that true liberation cannot come through another form of control, but only through the self-determination of the Haitian people.
This workshop offers fascinating insights into James’ work on the Haitian Revolution, and the enduring questions raised by The Black Jacobins about freedom, power and revolution.
This is the second video in a series produced by 30 WORLDwrite volunteers as part of a collaboration between Talawa Theatre Company, Glasgow University and WORLDwrite, supported by the Creative and Social Futures Fund. The project brings together young adults learning professional filmmaking with academics, actors, historians, writers and members of the Haitian and Caribbean diaspora.
This video features:
• Michael Buffong – Talawa Director
Actors
• Anyebe Godwin
• Ivan Oyik
• Jude Akuwudike
• Karl Collins
• Phoebe McIntosh
Subscribe to WORLDbytes for more workshops, performances and documentaries exploring history, theatre, politics and ideas. New videos from this series will be released regularly.
Talawa actors explore C.L.R. James’ The Black Jacobins in a workshop reading which reveals Moïse’s powerful argument for independence during the Haitian Revolution.
#TheBlackJacobins #CLRJames #HaitianRevolution #TalawaTheatre
In this second workshop, actors from Talawa Theatre Company explore C.L.R. James’ powerful play The Black Jacobins, which brings the Haitian Revolution and its revolutionary leaders vividly to life.
This play reading focuses on Act 1, Scene 3, where the future of Saint-Domingue hangs in the balance. After a British envoy offers support for a new kingdom and aristocracy under British protection, Christophe, Dessalines and Moïse debate whether this represents a path to security or a betrayal of the revolution’s promise.
At the heart of the scene is Moïse’s passionate argument for complete independence. His rejection of both French and British domination reflects one of C.L.R. James’ central ideas: that true liberation cannot come through another form of control, but only through the self-determination of the Haitian people.
This workshop offers fascinating insights into James’ work on the Haitian Revolution, and the enduring questions raised by The Black Jacobins about freedom, power and revolution.
This is the second video in a series produced by 30 WORLDwrite volunteers as part of a collaboration between Talawa Theatre Company, Glasgow University and WORLDwrite, supported by the Creative and Social Futures Fund. The project brings together young adults learning professional filmmaking with academics, actors, historians, writers and members of the Haitian and Caribbean diaspora.
This video features:
• Michael Buffong – Talawa Director
Actors
• Anyebe Godwin
• Ivan Oyik
• Jude Akuwudike
• Karl Collins
• Phoebe McIntosh
Subscribe to WORLDbytes for more workshops, performances and documentaries exploring history, theatre, politics and ideas. New videos from this series will be released regularly.
