Natasha Delia Letitia Gordon MBE (born 1976) is a British playwright of Jamaican heritage. In 2018, after a career as an actor, she made her debut as a playwright with the play Nine Night, becoming the first black British female playwright to have a play staged in the West End.[1]
Natasha Gordon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 (age 47–48) London, England |
| Occupation | Actor and playwright |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | British |
| Notable works | Nine Night |
Life
Natasha Gordon was born in North London in 1976 to parents who were both migrants from Jamaica.[2] Her grandparents had arrived in London from Jamaica by boat as part of the so-called Windrush generation in the late 1950s. Her mother joined them in 1963, where she found work, a Jamaican-born husband, and a comforting West Indian community.[2]
Gordon's debut play, Nine Night, premiered at London's National Theatre in April 2018[3] and received critical acclaim.[4] It later transferred to London's Trafalgar Studios on 1 December, marking a historic moment as Gordon became the first black British female playwright to have a play in the West End.[5] [6] In a profile by Guardian newspaper, Gordon explained that the "nine night" ritual of gathering to eat, drink and share stories helped her connect with her family's past and served as inspiration for her first play. She also mentioned the deportation threats faced by many of the Windrush generation as a catalyst for her to delve deeper into her grandparents' challenges.[2] The success of the play led to Gordon winning the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright in 2018.[7]
As an actor, Gordon's stage credits include Red Velvet (Tricycle Theatre), The Low Road and Clubland (Royal Court Theatre), Mules (Young Vic) and As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company). Her film and TV credits include Dough, Line of Duty, Class and Danny and the Human Zoo.[8]
In 2019, The Guardian writers ranked Nine Night the 17th best theatre show since 2000.[9] Gordon was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to drama.[10]
Career
Acting
Theatre
- Red Velvet by Lolita Chakrabarti (2012), The Tricycle
- Speechless by Linda Brogan & Polly Teale (2010) Sherman Cymru
- The Exception and the Rule by Bertolt Brecht (2004), Young Vic
- As You Like It by William Shakespeare (2003), Royal Shakespeare Company
- Inside Out by Tanika Gupta, (2002) Arcola Theatre
- Skin Deep, (2002) Warehouse Theatre, Croydon
- Aladdin (2002) Lyric Theatre (Hammersmith)
- Top Girls (2001), Battersea Arts Centre
- Clubland by Roy Williams (2001), Royal Court Theatre
Film and television
- Class (2016)
- Line of Duty (2016)
- Danny and the Human Zoo (2015)
- Dough (2015)
- Secrets and Worlds (2012)
- Law & Order UK (2010)
- 10 Days to War (2008)
- Doctors (2006, 2007 and 2016)
- EastEnders (2007)
- Little Miss Jocelyn (2006)
- Holby City (2004)
- The Bill (2000)
Writing
- Nine Night (2018) National Theatre
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Critics’ Circle Theatre Award[11] | Most Promising Playwright | Nine Night | Won |