Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes that the notion of 'African Americanisation' traces the influence of Black Power on black British theatre's formation, organisation and expression in the post-war period. It examines works by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Mojisola Adebayo. Kwei-Armah's work is discussed in relation to African American political and artistic influences. The book brings new perspectives to an already well-documented history of late twentieth century black British drama by reading it through the notion of creolisation. It discusses that the process of border crossing and cultural mixing frames the discussion of plays by Roy Williams. The book discusses the recent increase in migration of people from different parts of Africa to the UK since the 1990s. It examines how the experience of being 1.5 generation finds theatrical representation in plays by Inua Ellams. The book follows with an exploration of plays by debbie tucker green.