A new exhibition celebrating the influential contributions of Black women to British theatre is set to open at Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) this autumn.
Launching on Saturday 3 October 2026, ‘This Thread of Gold: Black Women Who Wove British Theatre’ will be free for the public to visit throughout October as part of the theatre’s Black History Month programming. The exhibition aims to highlight the creative impact and legacies of Black women across different generations of the performing arts.
The centrepiece of the display features six original portraits commissioned from British artist Whitney Ellis. These works will be accompanied by an interactive installation titled the ‘Golden Thread’.
The ‘Golden Thread’ uses a repurposed tree from the Chichester Festival Theatre props department. Visitors to the installation are invited to participate by adding the names of people who have influenced them, or personal messages, to the branches of the tree, creating a living record of community inspiration.
In Conversation events
The official launch on 3 October will be marked by a live event featuring author Catherine Joy White. She will appear in conversation with Jessica Huie MBE to discuss the themes of the exhibition and the broader history of Black women in the arts. While the exhibition itself is free to view during theatre opening hours, the ‘In Conversation’ events may require separate booking through the theatre box office.
The exhibition forms part of a wider series of events at CFT for Black History Month 2026. This includes a scheduled conversation between comedian and creator Munya Chawawa and the theatre’s Artistic Director, Justin Audibert.
Chichester Festival Theatre, a registered charity, is located at Oaklands Park, Chichester, PO19 6AP. The exhibition will remain on display for the duration of October, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors to engage with the stories of the women who have shaped the landscape of British theatre.
