Mona Hammond, the UK actress best known for her work on TV shows like EastEnders and Doctor Who has died at the age of 91. Hammond wasn’t just a screen presence, she was also a pioneer for Britain’s black actor community – most notably as a co-founder of the Talawa theatre group. The final era of Hammond’s career as an actress saw her once again shine, playing “Blossom,” the matriarch of the Jackson family who provided and supported those around her. Hammond stayed with EastEnders from 1986 – 1997; after leaving due to the toll of the soap’s production, Hammond made a brief return to the series in 2010.
Talawa was founded in 1986 by Yvonne Brewster, Carmen Munroe, Mona Hammond and Inigo Espejel, in response to the lack of creative opportunities for Black actors and the marginalisation of Black peoples from cultural processes.
Today, Talawa is the primary Black theatre company in the UK, with more than 50 award-winning touring productions from African classics to Oscar Wilde behind it. In total the company has produced more than 80 productions.
Our name, Talawa, comes from a Jamaican patois term and means gutsy and strong Talawa is the UK’s outstanding
Our purpose is to champion Black Excellence in theatre; to nurture talent in emerging and established artists of African or Caribbean heritage and to tell inspirational and passionate stories, reflecting Black experiences through art.
